CSAs and NOFA farm share experience

[Undead Molly]

I was so excited when I learned that the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont offered a subsidy for low-income folks. I mean really, REALLY excited. Every year I listen with envy to friends recounting all the wonderful and interesting items they've received in their CSAs and would be so sad that I couldn't afford to participate. When I found out about the subsidy I applied immediately because I am eligible according to their income guidelines.

I now regret having done this. I'm not sure what the problem is, exactly, but there is a breakdown in communication, coordination, and organization somewhere between the farms and NOFA. I'm trapped in an awkward limbo right now because you have to:
1. Apply to NOFA to find out if you can get a subsidized spot for the farm you want. I applied as early as I could for this summer.
2. That's all well and good, except that those farm slots fill up fast! There is only one farm I could find that would work for me, and they are telling me in no uncertain terms that I will lose out on my spot if I don't put up a deposit right now.
3. So I have to choose between forfeiting my spot and missing out on CSA again, or pay up and keep my fingers crossed that I'm able to get the subsidy.
4. I call NOFA and they are very, very nice. They say that the problem is that the farm hasn't gotten back to them. So the farm that is being so assertive about getting payment is blowing off NOFA? Are they trying to bypass their commitment by failing to greenlight subsidy applications so that the low-income people will have to drop out when told that they have to pay up or shove off? What the heck?

I'm still hanging in there. I sent in enough money to secure my CSA spot but still have no idea if I will have to pay the full amount for the share or if I can receive the subsidy. My parents have generously said they'd help me pay in full if need be, but I really don't appreciate being put in this position. It's embarrassing enough to have to ask for this kind of assistance to begin with, it's even worse to have it turn into such a headache and have to ask my parents to bail me out.

I was so excited. Now I'm just sad and exasperated. 

[Morganna]

Mind telling me which farm it is that's giving you a hassle over this? I'd rather not give them my business if I can avoid it!

[Undead Molly]

Morganna,

Thank you for your solidarity, but I'm still waiting to see if they make this right before publicly vilifying them. I know that farmers are very busy and maybe it's all a big mistake. Also, this is the first time I've ever done this process, maybe I actually did something wrong... although the nice NOFA lady said I didn't. She said I should feel free to pull out and ask for my deposit back, but that at this time of year there are no more CSA spots open in the area. By spending so much time waiting for this farm to come through I missed my chance to switch to another farm instead. No CSA for me.

Another part of the problem I didn't mention is that this farm offers a payment plan, however you have to pay $5 extra for every additional payment you make as a "processing fee" penalty for not having paid the full amount up front. It wouldn't be quite so bad if I could pay it off over the summer in installments, but I definitely can't afford that extra $5 racking up every time!

[Morganna]

Well, it seems to me that you're treating them way better than they're treating you.   I'll keep an eye on this thread for the future boycott.

[upinthemts]

Undead Molly,
I had to register to make a suggestion to you. I saw that you were in the Burlington area and Im not sure if your familiar at all with Petes Greens out in Craftsbury?  I signed up last year as a low income, subsidized full -share.  I filled out the form, sent it in, and got approved pretty darn quick. I also signed up the week before the share season began.  They have drop off sites all over the state and are easy to work with. I picked mine up at Sweet Clover natural foods mart in Essex.  I highly recomend checking them out.  They also do free of charge payment plans and are even cheaper priced than most CSA's out there. Check them out, it can't hurt. I had to switch my pick up spots a few times last year and as long as you give them a few days notice they will arrange it so you can pick up your share at a delivery spot closer to where you are that day.  Im a super fan of them.  Hope everything works out for you!

[radical51]

I am glad attention has been brought to the myriad of struggles those who are low income face when trying to access services. This is just one example of the frustrating maze inidividuals experience trying to stay afloat.

I just have to be slightly assertive in pointing out that you are fortunate to have parents who can afford to and are willing to bridge your financial gap should an issue arise with your CSA.

Those who are facing marginalized socioeconomic status and generational poverty have no such fortune. Hopefully, your priviledged position and voice will bring some light to the issue and make this process easier for those who would not have the time, energy, resources, or power to even have an impact on this frustrating circumstance.

[Undead Molly]

UpintheMts,

Thank you so much for the suggestion! I really appreciate the time you took to read my post and register to try to help out. It looks like Pete's Greens has a drop off site that could work for me, so I'm looking into this today.


radical51,

I know exactly how abundantly fortunate I am and am grateful every day. One of the ways I express my gratitude is the volunteer work I do with Vermonters who have none of the advantages I do. Since my health deteriorated to the point where I could no longer hold a regular job two years ago, I have dedicated myself to flexible volunteer opportunities that give me the chance to help people in exactly the circumstances you describe. For example, I have worked for the past two years with the Burlington Community Justice Center where I was honored to be included in a group of volunteers who received the 2010 Governor's Award for Outstanding Community Service earlier this month.

-m

[Morganna]

Oh, hey, Molly, have you heard of time banks?  I participate in the Onion River Exchange here in central VT, but I see there are a LOT of exchanges all over the state.  You might find that helpful, as well.

I'm hoping to find folks who will sew some clothes for me (I have the fabric) and who will help do a major scrub on my house before a bridal shower I'm holding in May.   Let me know if you'd like more info.

I LOVE TIME BANKS!

[Undead Molly]

Yay! I don't know what changed but I found out my share will be subsidized. I'm pretty sure that eating fresh, local, organic vegetables this summer will make me happier and healthier. And being happier and healthier will indubitably help to alleviate some of my chronic illness symptoms, which will in turn let me be more productive and sell more of my artwork and establish myself as a business, then maybe by fall I can pay for my own share - or even donate extra to help other Vermonters get a CSA. That would be so great!

Morgana - I had not heard of time banks, only the "barter" section on Craigslist. But it seems like that's mostly dudes with ATVs or dirt bikes saying, "My wife's making me get rid of this. Whatcha got?". I found a Burlington time bank blog, but it says only invited people can read it. I wonder if it's protected because they worry about the IRS declaring certain types of exchanges to be unreported income?

[Morganna]

No, time banks aren't subject to the IRS.  They get around that because it's not at all based on a monetary value for anything you're doing in any way.  An hour of work you put in is worth an hour from someone else, period.  The exchange is time and only time.

Here's where you can go:
http://community.timebanks.org/findtimebanks.php

Then use CTRL-F to open up find in your browser window (them not having a search function that filters the banks by, say, state, is lame and stupid and I've complained about it a couple of times, but I don't think they're getting paid for this work so I can understand new functionality takes time). There are a lot of time banks in Vermont (consider its size).  First, Search for VT.  The first bank will be Brattleboro.  You can do "find next" and that will take you to St. Johnsbury. "Find Next" again brings up Franklin/Grand Isle. Then Waitsfield. Then Middlebury. Then Montpelier for everyone. Then Montpelier for the elderly (there are two different time banks set up). Then Burlington. Then South Royalton. 

Just pick the time bank closest to you physically to join.  Usually they're set up to require administrative approval and it might take a day or two for that to happen.  This website helps the time banks organize and ensure that everyone's hours are accounted for.  It has a few annoyances but it mostly works well.

When we traveled to Washington DC in December, I managed to arrange a cross-timebank hours exchange with a bank down there so my husband and I could get a ride out to the Air and Space Museum building near the Airport.  It saved us loads of time on the trip out, but it ended up costing us loads of time on the trip back because of accidents on the highway that backed traffic up horribly.  Still, we probably would have been as delayed on a bus, maybe even more, so in the end it was way worth it.

[Undead Molly]

Wow! Thank you Morganna! I know a lot of people who can benefit from this. 

[Morganna]

Great! The more people who join, the more useful it becomes for everyone!