Summer Bounty
Churches distribute local produce
This year Altamont and Delmar Reformed Churches are distribution sites for the Fox Creek Farm CSA program. 
A CSA, or community supported agriculture, connects consumers with a local farmer for local, seasonal foods. Each CSA offers a certain number of farm shares to the public, and each week shareholders pick up a box, basket, or bag of ripe produce. Most farm shares supply primarily vegetables, but some farms also offer eggs, meat, cheese, fruit, or flowers.
As distribution sites, Altamont Reformed and Delmar Reformed extend hospitality to the community, promote eating healthy food raised by a local farmer, and help reduce the carbon footprint on God's good earth. They also get to share leftover product with others. If any produce is left after a CSA pick-up, the churches offer it to their congregation on Sunday for a donation. Money that is collected goes to a local food pantry, along with any produce that is left.
Fox Creek Farms CSA is owned by Raymond and Sara Luhrman, . 
whose daughter Johanna attended preschool at Altamont Reformed Church. The farm is located in Gallupville on the Albany and Schoharie county border. It serves its members in the Capital District and surrounding areas with high quality, fresh, organically grown vegetables.
To learn more about CSAs, farmers markets, co-ops, farms, local sites, events, and more, go to www.localharvest.org. Be sure to visit the Fox Creek Farm CSA website to learn more about their specific CSA, their farm, and their farming practices: www.foxcreekfarmcsa.com. They also offer pastured poultry!
Nancy McNiven is coordinator for communication and discipleship for the Synod of Albany. She is a member of Altamont Reformed Church.
Posted 09/02/11
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