All information on this website is property of New Moon Farm and Suzanne R. Ballard Copyright 2010 Home Sweet Home WHY JOIN A CSA? Because you care about the nutritional value of your food. Not only is local food better for the environment, it is better for you. Some recent studies have proven the superior health and nutritional value of locally grown produce. Much of the benefits are due to the freshness of produce that is grown close to where it is marketed. Additionally, with a greater diversity of produce available, the potential for nutritional benefit is increased because you may eat a wider variety of foods. Because you want to get to know the real person who grows your food. Receiving a weekly box of fresh picked produce from local farmers is a great way to expand your family's palate and appreciation for how that food got to your table. Actually knowing the growers who provide for your CSA week to week, and getting to know about them personally, puts a face on the who grew the food your family eats. Being part of the process and understanding what is necessary to get that food to your table deepens your connection to others and to the world. Because you care about preserving and supporting local food crop diversity. New Moon will continue to grow many ethnic, heirloom and gourmet varieties that are not available elsewhere. As well, some of our farmers grow only older, heirloom varieties that are far superior to those available at the supermarket. And since fresh, local produce tastes so much better, your family (especially kids) may start to ask for more fruits and vegetables at mealtime. Because you care about the safety of your food. You want to feed your family food from one of the safest sources possible. Local produce is minimally handled, usually going from the field almost directly to the consumer.This means that local food is generally exposed to fewer pathogens, therefore reducing the possibility of foodborne illness occurring. Because you don't want to consume genetically altered food without labeling requirements. Presently, there are no labeling requirements for any genetically engineered food product, be it fresh produce or prepared foodstuffs. Certified organic is the only food source that prohibits the use of any genetically modified seed or plant for production. The jury is still out on whether all GMO foods are harmful to humans yet these foods are already in our food system. Also, the risk of genetic pollution to non-GMO crops and plants is very real and so organic certification promotes the protection of food plant diversity and integrity. We pledge to your customers that there will never be any genetically engineered food in our CSA share. Because you want to get the most value for your local food dollars Membership in a CSA differs from a co-op or buying club because there is no additional fee for membership. 100% of the money you pay for the cost of membership in our CSA goes toward food for your family. Because you care about supporting your neighbors and want to see local family farms thrive. Membership in a CSA gives you the opportunity to make a real and significant difference to the life of the farmer growing your food. A real human being you actually can shake hands with and get to know will be out there doing everything he/she can to make sure you are getting the best product he can produce for you and your family. CSA membership is a great way to put your "green" foot forward. "A California tomato sold in Washington, DC has traveled about 2,800 miles - the truck transporting it produces more than 3,100 lbs of CO2 getting it there." The average distance a plate of food travels in the U. S. is 1500 miles which increases our dependency on petroleum and increases pollution. By helping to support the efforts of a small local farmer, both monetarily and personally, you are making a bold statement that you truly care about local food and what it means to the sustainability and future of our planet. Small farmers pollute less, use less fuel in both their farming practices and in getting their produce to market. Sustainable farming practies protect and conserve the land, our waterways, as well as birds and wildlife. That is what the "Community" in C(ommunity) S(upported) A(griculture) is really about. Being in a CSA is not for everyone. As the operator of the New Moon Farm Collective 2012 CSA, I pledge to its members to work diligently toward providing a well rounded assortment of produce to each CSA member. However, as with any venture that is nature dependent, no express guarantees can be made. Keep in mind that belonging to a CSA is an act of faith on the part of all participants and the risks, as well as rewards, are inherent to the concept.