Getting Off Zoom: An In-Person Gathering for Community Supported Agriculture
Last month, Glynwood staff members Megan Larmer and Kate Anstreicher traveled to Madison, Wisconsin to represent the Hudson Valley CSA Coalition at a three-day convening of the CSA Innovation Network (CSA-IN). The CSA-IN is a national group of technical assistance providers, coalitions and individual farmers committed to promoting and adapting the Community Supported Agriculture model. It was a long awaited event–postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic–and a wonderful opportunity to connect with colleagues and dig deeper into the future of CSA.
The group’s first in-person gathering took place in Kentucky in 2017. Last month’s gathering provided the opportunity to reflect on the incredible work we have accomplished together since then: launching an online resource library, hosting ten Ideas Labs, producing two national promotional campaigns for CSA Week, and growing participation in the network. Glynwood has been particularly involved in the Equity and Access working group, drafting and publishing the Network’s Equity Statement and curating a collection of food justice resources.
In Madison we acknowledged that there is still so much more opportunity to expand the Community Supported Agriculture movement. Emergent initiatives were discussed, ranging from research into the myriad benefits of CSA to exploring universities as hubs for workplace CSA programs to the challenges of addressing inequity in the food system. Megan and Kate made presentations on Glynwood’s work to transition to a more equitable and just organization, as well as on the successes and challenges of our CSA is a SNAP program, which makes the CSA model more accessible to consumers paying with SNAP benefits.
Amidst the breakout groups and planning we saw beautiful farms serving their communities, shared memorable meals, and sparked each other’s creativity and inspiration to continue living into the promise of community supported agriculture. You can be a part of it, too. If you haven’t yet, search for a farm near you and become a CSA member today!
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