Downtown Harvest's mission is to promote stewardship of the earth through our support of local, organic farming and to build community relationships and spirituality.
Downtown Harvest commits to:
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Provide weekly fresh produce throughout the season. |
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Ensure that our crops are weekly harvested as close to the pick-up times as possible so that members receive the freshest produce. |
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Promote best use of the earth's natural resources. |
2008 Season News
FARM TOURFarmer John invites the CSA members to visit for a farm tour this Sunday, October 19 at 2:00pm. I will provide the address after he confirms to me which of his farm locations.
John has suggested that you might like to combine a drive to the country with apple picking at Race Farm near Blairstown http://www.racefarmllc.com/ or the corn maze at Lentini Farm near Newton http://www.lentiniproduce.com/
We are not planning a Downtown Harvest event that day, but if you are interested in learning if other DH members plan to go, want to offer a ride or ask about carpools, you can do so through the Yahoo group.
THE CSA SEASON
Our CSA season will conclude on November 12, so there are seven more weeks of goodness from the ground to enjoy! This is later than usual since we began in late June and this year's season runs 22 weeks.We plan to offer an optional extension after the regular season ends. After we complete the details with Farmer John, we'll announce the specifics.Sharing the Harvest
Through donations, several shares are provided to the Mary House Emergency Food Pantry of Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Jersey City. In addition, all unclaimed produce at the end of each delivery night are also given to OLS for distribution to those in need of a 'life raft.' Many members have met Sister Alice during their volunteer night and have loaded her van at the close of the evening. On January 4th 2008 Sister Alice wrote,
Dear Dear Meg and Colleagues,
On behalf of all in Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Family, I would like to express our appreciation for your support in 2007. Your Gift of organically grown vegetables and herbs all through this past growing season has been a blessing for our Emergency Food Pantry. this partnership with us in out efforts to reach out to those who are in need in out community has enabled us to do so much more than we ever could have hoped.
During this year we were able to respond to more than 1,000 requests for Emergency Food Assistance. This helped some 459 families, including 458 children. High rents and utility costs have made it increasingly more difficult to cover family nutrition expenses. With most rents well in excess of $800 per month and rental subsidies decreasing annually, salaries and/or public assistance allotments simply cannot provide for what is necessary.
At a time when there is so much darkness in our world, your generosity and compassion have brought such light. May your 2008 be blessed in turn with the satisfaction of knowing that you have made a positive difference in the lives of many people.
Gratefully,
Sister Alice McCoy, O.P.
Pastoral Associate