Support a Local Farmer at Seward Co-op's Community Supported Agriculture Fair

You don't have to live on a farm to enjoy delicious, homegrown, and freshly picked and produced vegetables, fruits, milk and meat. This year, visit Seward Co-op Grocery & Deli on Sun., April 23 to purchase a share of a local farmer's crop, and meet the farmer who will produce your family's share throughout the 2006 growing season.

Seward Co-op's fifth-annual Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Fair will be held from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the co-op, 2111 East Franklin Ave., in Minneapolis.

The fair is the only known one of its kind in the Twin Cities where residents can meet participating farmers at one location, compare the farmers' crop share offerings side-by-side, and determine the share that best fits their family's needs.

"Since we began hosting the fair five years ago, CSAs have become more popular as city dwellers increasingly look for locally produced food, rather than produce shipped in from California," said Sean Doyle, Seward Co-op's General Manager. "We host the fair at no charge to farmers or participants because we strongly believe in supporting local farmers and offering food that is best for people, the environment and our community."

Approximately 12 farmers who farm near Minneapolis are expected to participate in this year's CSA fair. At the fair, farmers will provide detailed information about the crops their shares include.

Participating farms offer different CSA memberships, or shares, depending upon a farm's growing season, the goods offered, cost, labor and drop-off locations. Share purchases help cover a farm's yearly operating expenses where the share is purchased. CSA members share the crop's bounty and its risk with the farmer and other members.

A typical share costs an average of $300 to $400. Most shares include servings for a family of four each week throughout Minnesota's growing season, which most farms consider to be June through September.

Shares are delivered weekly to Seward Co-op and other drop-off points for CSA member pick-up.

For up-to-date information about the fair, visit www.seward.coop or call the co-op at 612-338-2465.