Some really exciting news for Capetonians: Slow Food CT , the Sustainability Institute and the Ethical Co-op have partnered to close the gap between the farmer and the shopper by forming a partnership between you (the consumer) and the farmer – a community supported agriculture project (CSA). It's a way of actively supporting local community agriculture, as well as ensuring your weekly fix of vegetables!

It’s a simple concept: you (the consumer) pay upfront, which allows the farmer to set up his/her farm. The first CSA farmer will be Eric Swarts whose farm is based at Spier Estate. He intends farming lettuces, carrots, beetroot, cucumber, beans, sweetcorn – all organically.

Those who sponsor the project upfront, will receive a box of mixed

veg weekly, depending on what’s ripe and ready for picking – you’ll be guaranteed of at least 7 items. And you get the chance to visit the farm and get regular feedback about how it’s going with the farmer (Eric). [read more about it on mother city living]

To sponsor the community agriculture project, and to receive 13 weeks worth of vegetables, will cost you R715 – that works out to roughly R55 a box, and you get to feel good about having directly invested in someone’s farm. Your box will be delivered to your door or nearest collection point by the Ethical Co-op.

The CSA will run from February (that’s soon, so reserve a spot now!) through April. If you want to join, send an email to kateschrire@gmail.com and you will get a reservation code and banking information for EFT.

The project needs 50 members to get off the ground, although I’m thinking that there is going to be a rush on… [ethical blog] [mother city living]