Shundahai Farm
Why (or Why Not) to Buy from Shundahai Farm
Why Buy From Shundahai Farm
GMO & Pesticide Free - If you want food that you can feel confident is GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) Free and Pesticide Free, where you can ask specific questions from the farmers and get answers, this is a good place to come. Note: Organic food IS grown with pesticides - insecticides, herbicides and fungicides - just different ones than conventional; these pesticides are approved by a regulating body and are the industry norm. They are often detrimental to non-target insect populations and the environment. We do not spray any pesticides of any types for any reasons.
Fresh - Most of our vegetables are picked the day we sell them. Spinach, lettuces, radishes, turnips, kale, chard, peas, beans, bok choy, etcetera are picked only hours before you arrive.
Healthy - We do extensive soil testing and add trace minerals ensure the the healthiest possible soil, for the healthiest possible plants, and the healthiest possible food. We add compost for high organic matter and nutrient holding capacity.
Chlorine and Radiation Free - We do not wash your vegetables in chlorine, and we do not irradiate them. We mention this because most of the food you buy at the supermarket has had one or both treatments and you may wish to have food that is free of these processes.
Environment - The environmental impact of our farming practices is a constant consideration for us. It is always part of our decision making. If you have any concerns, please ask. If you have suggestions, talk to us. As Ed likes to say, "I am a farmer because I am an environmentalist. I want to demonstrate how food can be grown without causing environmental degradation." This is definitely a lifelong process of learning and improving.
Food Security - Purchasing food locally strengthens our local businesses and makes our community more able to sustain itself. If we want to feel confident that we can supply our own food, and lessen our dependence on the industrial food production system, with its long distance transportation networks, high oil dependency and inherent vulnerabilities, we need a lot more farmers in CT, way more!
Seasonality - If it isn't in season, you are not going to get it here.
Recipes - Raluca is always excited to talk about ways of preparing the food we grow. We have many recipes on our website and will likely have a cookbook for our CSA members in 2012.
Community - We like being small and knowing our customers personally and we think that this is what makes our CSA important to its members. To a degree, this is what people are paying for: the connection to their farmers and food source.
Fair Trade - We are not trying to get rich, we are trying to grow the healthiest food in the most environmentally sustainable way. We are an open book, we share how much money we are making and you'll get an idea how much we work for it.
Why Not to Buy From Shundahai Farm
Price - If you are looking for a special deal, or the cheapest food, this is probably not the place. Our prices are comparable to farmers' markets prices, and to other CSAs that run a similar amount of time. We charge what it takes in order to keep producing this food. What you're paying for is the quality of your food, and the integrity of our farming practices. We do not cut corners in order to get the cheapest prices on our inputs, and how our farming practices affect the environment is always a top consideration. As a family, we live a very simple life-style, and our current income is barely enough to cover our minimal personal expenses.
Support - While we always appreciate the intention, we ask that you don't buy from us to "support" us. Buy from us because you want high quality, fresh, healthy food for your family. Buy from us because strengthening your community and helping it sustain itself, is important to you. Buy from us because you care about how farming practices affect the environment, and because you want to feel more connected to the source of your food.
We would like to turn Community Supported Agriculture on its head: an Agriculturally Supported Community. Farmers and the food they produce are the base that supports everything else. Without food, society collapses, and without good quality food, people get sick. Without careful, sustainable farming practices, we ruin our soils and our environment (as modern industrial agriculture has).