Grow Youngstown begins new season June 4

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Grow Youngstown’s Community Supported Agriculture Farm to You program will once again offer fresh, locally-produced food direct to the residents of the Mahoning Valley.

“CSA keeps food dollars local and contributes to the community’s economy by buying from urban and rural farmers in the tri-county area,” said Jim Andrews, Youngstown State University physics professor and a member of Grow Youngtown’s board of directors.

The program begins June 4 for the extended 25-week season and June 18 for the regular 18-week season.

During each week, family and single-sized shares of seasonal fruit and vegetables are brought from farms within a 30-mile radius of Youngstown and Warren to five community pick-up locations every Tuesday afternoon.

The pick-up locations are: the Davis Family YMCA on McClurg Road in Boardman, Fellows Riverside Gardens, the East Side Public Library, the Poland Public Library and Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership on Courthouse Square in downtown in Warren. Or shares can be delivered for an additional fee.

Additional foods, such as locally raised grass-fed meats, honey, cheese, butter, and eggs, also will be available.

Andrews, who said several YSU faculty, staff and students are involved in the Grow Youngstown initiative, said the CSA program helps financially support local farmers by purchasing foods with “subscription dollars” from CSA members. The benefit to over 150 area CSA families and members is the assurance of locally-grown fruits and vegetables brought to them every week, he said. Grow Youngstown’s subsidized shares also make fresh, healthy food available to low- income households.

Grow Youngstown, now in its sixth year, is part of the growing national movement toward locally produced foods and healthy farming practices.