Heirloom Hurrah Tomato Tomato Tasting and Vegetable Extravaganza
Saturday & Sunday Sept 1st & 2nd 2012
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily >
“Soil fertility, carrying capacity, sense of place, care of the commons, cultural, ecological and economic health and diversity, nonviolence -- these are the fundamentals of nurture capital, a new financial sector supporting the emergence of a restorative economy. And these are the fundamentals of the Slow Money Principles.”
How Vicki’s Veggies CSA works
Early in the season, customers commit and purchase booklets of vouchers to redeem throughout the year. In turn, Vicki’s Veggies provides a variety of locally-grown fresh produce throughout the growing season and cellared, dried and preserved foods in the off-season. Members can redeem vouchers for as much or as little, of what they want, when they want it . This gives CSA members greater flexibility in satisfying their week-to-week needs.
With each booklet of “Veggie Bucks” purchased customers receive added value and also become CSA Members. The earlier they pledge their support to the farm the more they receive in extra buying power. Vouchers can be redeemed at the farm’s roadside stand and the farmers market in Toronto, throughout the year. A weekly email gives customers the heads-up to what’s available each week along with helpful recipes and links to other interesting information.
Ecological farming practices give Vicki’s Veggies the opportunity to produce food that is good for you and the environment. Our Community Supported Agriculture system fosters a healthy community and environment in a fundamentally sustainable way.
By becoming a shareholder in Vicki’s Veggies you are investing in the local economy, helping to build a vibrant community around food and agriculture and making a contribution towards a healthy environment. At the same time, you’re ensuring good food for yourself and the people you love!
“Winter” Special - to March 2013
Sign up before March 31 and get $10.00 extra!
- buy $100.00 booklet for only $90.00
Sign-Up Now!
Free Veggies!
Veggie-Bucks
$10.00 free
Investing in small food enterprise & local food systems
History of Community Shared Agriculture
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a concept that began in the 1960’s in Europe and Japan, when communities were losing valuable farmland and control of their food supply. It ensured the success of small farms though economic security and it gave consumers a guaranteed food supply close to home that they could participate in. This concept has spread worldwide. In the early eighties when there were just two CSA’s in North America there are now thousands, ranging from small neighbourhood groups of two or three families, to large groups of 900 city-dwellers buying membership shares in a rural farm.
CSA relies on a relationship of mutual commitment between the farmer and the people. The farmer feeds the community, and in turn is supported, through membership fees and sometimes volunteer help. Members support the economic viability of a local farm and share in the inherent risks and potential bounty - and the farmers can concentrate on growing the food. Today’s industrial influences on agriculture and corporate distribution systems realize more profits for everyone but the farmer. CSA provides an alternative for the farmers and the consumers.
The CSA model helps reconnect people with the land that sustains them and gives shareholders the benefit of knowing how and where the food they eat is grown. Since most CSAs practice some sort of organic or ecological agriculture, people can participate in sustainable ventures in their communities and at the same time guarantee themselves a safe and familiar food supply.
It is not unusual to hear stories of what our produce goes through after it leaves our hands. We are so pleased when our efforts are rewarded with word that our vegetables give great pleasure before they give way to fork and knife by satisfying the senses of touch and sight as well!
A few snapshots after visiting market by Stefan Morel
We love it when customers make art with our produce !
Copyright © Vicki’s Veggies 2008 Site Design - Tim Noxon
