It’s hard to believe that we’ve made it to Week 1 of Spring CSA 2023! I am so excited to be writing this email because it means that we are starting to pick the first spring vegetables and we can’t wait to share them with all of you, our awesome CSA members!
There are some important logistics in this email so please read carefully, ESPECIALLY if you are a new MRF member!
We are switching the boxes for our CSA shares from wax produce boxes to more durable, plastic totes. These clear plastic totes will have a vinyl envelope attached to the front. Each envelope will contain a label, and you'll find your name will be on the label, along with the contents of your box.
If you are an ON-FARM CSA member, please BRING YOUR OWN BAGS OR BOX with you to pick-up to transfer the contents of your share. It is important that the totes don’t leave the farm! Please inform whoever in your family is coming to the farm of this new system. For the first two pickups, we will have someone near the stand who will be there to assist with questions. We will also have a supply of paper bags if you forget your bags. Don’t worry - we have all been there! :)
If you are a DELIVERED / OFF-SITE CSA member, you’ll want to take your tote with you. Your tote lid will have a semi-permanent sticker label with your name. Your account will be charged a small tote deposit of $3.00 on the first pick up. If your tote is returned each week, you will receive your tote deposit back after your last CSA is picked up.
DETAILS BY LOCATION:
On Farm - Tuesday 3 pm - 8 pm. Pick up in the Farm Stand.
OSS Powder Mill - Wednesday 11:30 am - 4 pm. Pick up in the MPR room at Powder Mill.
1881 Salt Sanctuary - Wednesday 1 pm - 6 pm
OSS Mechanicsburg - Wednesday 1 pm - 4 pm
UPMC Harrisburg - Wednesday 2 pm - 5 pm. **This was previously a THURSDAY pick up, but due to losing our Market Wagon site, we will no longer be in Harrisburg on Thursdays so we will need to make this delivery on Wednesday. If you are picking up at UPMC look out for an email from us with more information.
Harvest Seasonal Grill (Harrisburg) - 2 pm - 5 pm. Please tell the host(ess) that you’re a Mad Radish Farm CSA member and they’ll bring your box out to you.
COMPOST PROGRAM
Our compost collaboration project with the York County Solid Waste Authority will be a bit different this year. Denise at the YCSWA made a video of me explaining the process!
Check out the link to the video here! If you’re planning to compost with us this year, please be sure to watch the video.
The video explains the following steps:
1. Pick up a green compost bucket and lid at the farmstand.
2. Put your food scraps in the bucket! All biodegradable items go in the bucket. Produce scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, stale grains, even meat and dairy items are fine for our purposes. It’s helpful if stickers are removed from peels, and please no rubber bands/ties.
3. Bring your bucket back to the farm when you come back to get your share. Take your bucket to the shed by the parking lot. Weigh it on the scale. Record the weight on the clipboard. (We do this to keep track of how much waste is being diverted from the landfill!)
4. Take your bucket to the compost pile. Dump it where you see the flag marking the current pile.
5. Bring your bucket back down to the block building, and rinse it. Or, just take it home with you and rinse at home. Woohoo! You're done, and your food scraps are now on their way to becoming compost to grow MORE food!
That's all the details we have for now - if you have any questions, please drop us a line. We're looking forward to a great season full of delicious local food!
Thank you for joining us,
The team at Mad Radish
