April 15, 2020
Potential CSA Distribution Protocol During COVID-19 Pandemic
by Farmer Dana

It is with befuddled and curious hearts that we announce that there will probably need to be some changes on the farm this season, with most major changes hopefully only lasting through the early part of the harvest season. We are using the PA Department of Agriculture for guidance and are actively consulting with other traditional CSA farms for examples and ideas. If we are being completely honest, we had hoped the coronavirus mess would be resolved by the start of harvests, but alas it appears the virus and subsequent social distancing measures will linger into May.

The purpose of on-farm and share distribution adjustments is to keep our membership safe and healthy to the best of our ability during these uncertain times. Please know we view the changes to be temporary and in connection to the current pandemic. As protective measures, closures, and social distancing rules are updated and/or relaxed we will adapt and adjust.

Please know that it is okay to enjoy some, all, or none of the changes we must make to our CSA. Take the boxed share idea, for example. I remember as a college student opening my weekly CSA box with the same gleeful anticipation of opening a wrapped gift - something to be surprised and inspired by. At the end of the day, that is what we hope to provide to you - food to delight and nourish you.

As always, we are open to your feedback regarding the new routines. Thank you for sticking with us through these strange and difficult times. We encourage our beloved members to resist feeling overwhelmed by the new procedures and want to assure you that we will make our way through this together. The harvest season doesn't begin for another month or so and we'll continue to monitor the situation as it progresses.

We have decided that boxing shares will be required to eliminate/reduce any germ sharing. Boxed shares will probably be distributed from the barn hallway where members will verbally sign-in with a farm staffer. Members will return empty share boxes on their next pick-up day. Boxes will be sanitized with a non-toxic rinse and will be unused for 1-2 weeks before being redistributed with produce. Shares will be assembled during pick-up hours. We're still trying to identify the best way to ensure members can still select the specific items most desired from the typical choice groupings (dill, cilantro, parsley; arugula, greens mix, endive; kale, chard; etc).

To reduce crowds forming on pick up days, and to give staff time to assemble boxed shares, members will sign up in advance for hour-long time frames in which they can pick up their shares. Signing up will take place through the calendar feature on our website the same way members sign up for workshifts. Time slots will probably open 48 hours before a scheduled pick up day and members will choose a new time slot for each pick-up. The first hour of pick up will be reserved for senior citizens and members with high risk medical conditions. To see what the sign up process may look like, follow this link, then navigate to May 11th for an example.

We plan to keep the u-pick portion of the harvest open with a few changes. A collection of quart, pint, and half-pint containers will be sent home with each member in their first boxed share of the season. These will be yours to measure and collect your u-pick crops over the course of the season (use them to measure then dispatch produce to your own bags). Members will need to bring their own scissors for cutting herbs and flowers. Please respect the 6 foot social distance minimum in the fields. The u-pick list will be displayed on the outside wall of the barn, instead of inside the barn, to facilitate social distancing.

Farm staff will use necessary pandemic and food safety measures while harvesting and working around harvested crops. Whatever scientific rules and regulations are in place will be followed which may include gloves and masks, and will be worn during the harvest and handling of all farm produce. We ask members to respect the guidelines issued by Governor Wolf regarding the wearing of masks in public.

It is with profound sadness that we must postpone sandbox play at the farm until other similar places like playgrounds are opened. I find this to be a most terrible responsibility of management at the farm - to have to suspend play. The farm has always existed as a meeting place, a place to linger, to play, to enjoy. I know in the future it will continue to be this for us, that we will look back on the 2020 season as a hiccup in the CSA's long lived existence. We encourage you to still find solace in the fields, at the farm, from the upheaval in the world, for now just do it 6-feet away from each other.

We're confident that workshifts will proceed normally, albeit with safe social distancing involved, and should begin towards the end of April. For information on how to sign up, please follow this link. This will also be the process for signing up for pick up day time slots.

These are challenging times, and we expect that societal norms in regards to COVID-19 will continue to evolve over time. On the farm we are grateful to be able to work in service of our community when so many people are struggling through changed life circumstances. As we adapt we endeavor to meet what is required of us in a spirit of openness, gratitude, and good humor. Thank you for choosing us to grow the food which nourishes you and your friends and family.