FAQs

What is a CSA? (Top)

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture.

As Barbara Kingsolver commented in her book, Small Wonder, "Americans have [developed] a taste for food that's been seeded, fertilized, harvested, processed, and packaged in grossly energy-expensive ways and then shipped, often refrigerated, for so many miles it might as well be green cheese from the moon."

A CSA offers the opportunity to challenge this - to buy and eat food that was grown by a locally based farmer, minimally-packaged, and is grown in ways that support the health of the planet.

To join a CSA individuals or families commit in advance to buy (mostly organic) produce from a local farm over the growing season. The members' advance payment helps to support the farmer's season start up costs, which are usually significant. In return, produce is delivered once a week to a central pick-up location, where members rotate as volunteers to set it out for pickup. Usually there are subsidies for people who are low-income and produce that is left-over is usually given to a homeless shelter or soup kitchen.

A CSA is a small-scale but effective way to confront some of the global challenges of pollution, land degradation and poor nutrition. And by their nature, CSAs are platforms for strengthening community and for volunteer leadership development.

The CSA movement began in the United States when Robin Van En introduced the CSA concept in 1985. The movement has spread throughout North America and has gradually come to include some 1,200 CSA farms.

 Can I buy a half or quarter share in Sauvie Island Organics' CSA? (Top)

SIO only offers full share memberships. However, Portland Tuv Ha’Aretz will help you find others with whom you could jointly purchase a share. Please send your contact and request information to csa@portlandtuv.org and we will match you with others who want to split a share.

What does the name Tuv Ha'Aretz mean? (Top)

Tuv Ha'Aretz has two meanings: good for the land and the best of the land. Tuv Ha'Aretz is good for the land because it encourages and supports small organic famers who grow their crops using non-destructive methods on agricultural land near the city that would otherwise be threatened with development. Tuv Ha'Aretz offers the best of the land because the produce - often picked the morning of delivery! - is fresh, green, sweet, pesticide and chemical free, healthy, beautiful and delicious.

If I'm not Jewish, can I participate in Tuv Ha'Aretz? (Top)

YES! Tuv Ha'Aretz warmly welcomes both Jewish and non-Jewish members.

How many Tuv Ha'Aretz chapters are there? (Top)

Hazon began the Tuv Ha'Aretz program in New York in 2004 and in just five years, it has become the largest faith-based CSA network in the world, with 40 chapters across America, Canada and Israel.

 Are all the farms Tuv Ha'Aretz works with organic? (Top)

The majority of the small farms that participate in CSA programs, including Tuv Ha’Aretz, do use organic growing practices. However, becoming a USDA-certified organic farm can be cost-prohibitive for some farms. This means some farms might not be officially “USDA-certified organic,” but are still growing food using beneficial growing practices.

Sauvie Island Organics aims to produce nutritious and great tasting crops by working within the natural world. Along with organic practices, we strive to keep our use of resources low while growing high quality vegetables for your table.

For more information on how the USDA defines the term “organic” click here.

Is it better to buy local produce than organic produce? (Top)

One of the primary rationales for organic agriculture has always been that it protects the environment. However, even though it may have been grown in ways that are better for the earth, organic produce that is imported from far away still has negative impacts on the environment, especially in the form of pollution from fuel for transportation and the energy for refrigeration.

Local produce has many benefits. In addition to traveling shorter distances from farm to table, supporting local farmers ensures a market that enables local farms to stay in business. This in turn helps to protect local farmland. Buying local produce not only feeds us and sustains the livelihoods of local farmers, but preserves the beauty of the countryside - a beauty that is quickly disappearing.

Therefore, the most ideal situation is to buy local and organic. However, it is important to be aware that many other local farmers are in the process of reducing pesticide use and learning the skills of organic growing; they especially need support as they make the not-so-easy transition to a form of farming that requires a high level of knowledge and constant learning.

Is membership in Portland Tuv Ha’Aretz the same as membership in Sauvie Island Organics’ CSA? (Top)

No.  Portland Tuv Ha’Aretz offers programs and events that connect ancient Jewish teachings and traditions with modern sustainable food and agricultural practices.  There is a nominal membership fee ($5/individual or $10/family) and benefits include participation in a wide variety of events and a bi-monthly newsletter, Tuv Ha’Shavua. 

Sauvie Island Organics’ CSA is a separate farm-run program and is partnering with Portland Tuv Ha’Aretz, .  CSA membership provides significant benefits: 30 weekly baskets of fresh, organic, healthy, delicious and locally grown produce.  To learn more about the CSA or to join, go to Sauvie Island Organics.