CSA @ ODU Accepting Subscriptions for Winter Season

After a successful first year of providing fresh local fruits and vegetables to members of the Old Dominion University community, the CSA @ ODU is beginning its second year, offering winter-season subscriptions.

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, a program designed to support small farmers and bring fresh produce to the community's table. A group of individuals pledge their support by purchasing a CSA subscription, which provides them with seasonal local produce.

CSA @ ODU is offered through the university's Center for Service and Civic Engagement, a component of the Office of Student Activities and Leadership, in partnership with Aramark and the Five Points Community Farm Market in Norfolk.

"We love this program," said Tami Park Farinholt, coordinator of the CSCE. "Supporting local growers, the Aramark team hosting weekly receptions and, of course, great produce - talk about win-win-win!"

Subscriptions cost $190 for the winter season (fall CSA subscribers pay $180), but partial subscriptions are available to those who don't feel they can use that much fresh produce in a week. The deadline to sign up is Jan. 6, 2012.

The subscription form is available at http://studentaffairs.odu.edu/osal/community/ODUCSAWinter2012SubscriptionForm.pdf.

Every Friday through the winter, Five Points Community Farm Market will make a delivery to Webb Center, and Aramark will host a social in the Norfolk Room, where subscribers can pick up their produce, enjoy appetizers and beverages, get recipe suggestions and mingle with Aramark and local chefs, as well as others who are interested in sustainable agriculture.

For more information about the CSA @ ODU program, visit http://studentaffairs.odu.edu/osal/community/CSA.shtml.

CSA @ ODU is open to faculty, staff, students, alumni and area residents.

For more information, contact CSCE at volunteer@odu.edu or 683-6948.