Join Geraldson Community Farm and Eat Local

MANATEE COUNTY – There are few things that can benefit the local economy, reduce our carbon footprint and protect our ability to maintain a healthy and adequate food supply as buying local, sustainably-farmed foods. Geraldson community farm members are doing just that, and there is still a chance for you to become one of them this harvest.

Industrial food production is completely dependent on fossil fuels, literally from the root to the fruit. Mega-farm agriculture is petroleum intense at every level of production, including the massive amounts of gasoline burned in its delivery. It also usually uses our limited water resources in very inefficient manners. Because both water and oil are becoming increasingly scarce as supplies wither under the demand of a quickly-growing population, sustainable local farming is an important part of our future ability to be able to meet food demands.

The stated mission of Geraldson Community Farm is to connect consumers with locally-grown, organically produced food. The farm is structured as a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Members purchase a share at the beginning of the season and are provided with an equal portion of the produce weekly throughout the season.

You can join the farm today and enjoy fresh vegetables every week from November to May. The farm provides six to nine varieties of delicious vegetables like carrots, cauliflower, beans, eggplant, winter squash, greens, beets and more that are locally grown and harvested each week.

Annual Membership is $550 for 28 weeks, $310 for 14 weeks. St. Stephen’s pick up is $587 for 28 weeks, $328 for 14 weeks. WSLR Sarasota pick up is $600 for 28 weeks, $335 for 14 weeks. This year, vegetables will be double-washed before delivery. You can click here to buy a share.

You might also be interested in Geraldson's Local Food Buying Club, a monthly membership club that connects the community with locally produced goods. Members can purchase delicious free-range meats like chicken, grass-fed beef and even buffalo! There's also gulf-caught seafood, sauerkraut, eggs, baked goods, honey, and more, all directly from local Florida farmers and small businesses.

The club provides convenience for members to pick-up orders at a chosen location instead of driving to individual businesses. Members place and pick up orders once a month. Annual Membership is $20 for members of Geraldson Community Farm, $25 for non-members and there is a small handling fee for items based on purchase size.

The world food supply has become so tight, that small ripples in any of the supply chain components of industrial farming threaten entire regions with catastrophic shortages. A return to local farming helps to keep the local food supply more secure, while employing local citizens and keeping money in Manatee County where it can be recycled through our local economy, helping to keep more local citizens working in other industries well.

Getting local is a key component of restoring a vibrant economy, so become a locavore with Geraldson Community Farm this season. For more information on the community farm, including the opportunities they sponsor to learn more about local, organic, sustainable farming, visit their website at  www.geraldsoncommunityfarm.org/.