Montgomery County Local Food Survey

 

Sustainable Sandhills has seen a growing interest in fresh local food. In response to this interest, we have partnered with Montgomery County Cooperative Extension to develop a Local Food Survey. Please take a moment to read the following introduction and complete our short survey. We thank you in advance.

Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, is a way for consumers to purchase locally grown, seasonal fruits and vegetables directly from a farmer or farmers. Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of “shares” to the public, which are paid for in advance of the planting season. In exchange for pre-payment on this "share" the farmer commits to providing a box of fruits and vegetables for a period of 20-25 weeks with enough of each item for at least two people. This box may also include other farm products such as eggs, herbs or cut flowers. Seasonal eating is implied, as shares are based on the local outdoor growing season.

In addition to CSA’s, there are other local food distribution options. One distribution model handles marketing to consumers, purchasing from farms, packing and delivering CSA-like boxes, and collecting payment. This model can be an independent business, or it can be a Cooperative where the consumers, workers and farmers all participate in making the policy decisions and all share in the profits generated.

If you have questions about the survey, or are completing a printed copy of the survey, please contact Kea Meacham with Sustainable Sandhills at 910-639-3983 or keam@sustainablesandhills.org.