Tinicum's Community Supported Agriculture continues a tradition of fresh, local produce in Upper Bucks County

By Donna Henschel
Tinicum Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has launched its first season as a community supported agriculture venture on the preserved farmland of the Schneiderwind Farm & Nursery in Upper Black Eddy, Pa.

It will offer fresh, naturally-grown fruits and vegetables to its subscribing members -- carrying on the tradition established over the last three years at the same location by Open Acres CSA.

Upper Black Eddy, Pa. - Tinicum CSA announced recently that community supported agriculture (CSA) will continue in 2013 at the Schneiderwind Farm & Nursery in Upper Black Eddy.

Gaining in popularity nationwide, CSA farms offer community members a chance to buy fresh, local, seasonal produce directly from their farmer by purchasing a “share” in the farm. Farm members then visit the farm each week from late May to early November to pick up their share of that week’s harvest.

The members share with their farmers in both the risks (such as an unusually difficult growing season) and the many rewards of sustainable agriculture, which include an abundance of delicious, locally grown, healthful vegetables and fruits, aromatic herbs, and beautiful cut-your-own flowers – all grown without synthetic chemicals or pesticides.

Tinicum CSA is a partnership between Bucks County native John Crooke and Minnesota native Stefan Streit. They met last year while both were apprentices at Sisters Hill Farm, a CSA in Stanfordville, NY. Near the end of the 2012 growing season, Crooke and Streit made contact with Nate Walker, another former apprentice of Sisters Hill Farm.

At the time, Walker and his partner, Heather Brady, were managing Open Acres CSA at the Schneiderwind Farm & Nursery in Upper Black Eddy, but they had decided to relocate to New York City at the end of the 2012 season.

Walker introduced would-be CSA farmers Crooke and Streit to his landlord, Craig Schneiderwind. All five of them saw a beautiful opportunity in this convergence, and over the past several months, they have been working closely together to ensure a successful transition from Open Acres to Tinicum CSA.

“We can tell that Nate and Heather had a great time working with Craig and flourished in the midst of a dynamic community of folks who care about tasty veggies and sustainable food options,” said Stefan Streit, Tinicum CSA co-manager. “I’m excited to step into a CSA that already has all the infrastructure set up around a model that we know, and I can’t wait to meet some of the people who showed Nate and Heather so much support.”

What Tinicum CSA members can look forward to:

Community members may sign up for either a full share or a half share. Full share members visit the farm every week for 24 weeks to pick up their share of the harvest. Half share members pick up the same amount of produce per visit, but they pick up every other week. A typical share includes between 4 and 14 pounds of produce, featuring a seasonal assortment of more than 35 different crops. Crops include arugula, basil, broccoli, green beans, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, flowers, lettuce, onions, peppers, potatoes, winter squash, watermelons and many more.

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