Community Supported Agriculture program proves County employees and local farms make a great pear
The farm-to-table effort has steadily grown in popularity over the last few years, giving rise to a new movement that brings together farms and local employers called farm-to-work. King County joined this movement earlier this year when it launched its Farm Fresh Local Program, bringing healthy, delicious produce to employees at select worksites.
The Farm Fresh Local pilot is a collaboration between the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) and the Human Resources Division’s Employee Health and Well-Being program. Together they brokered relationships to test delivery at eight King County worksites from three CSA farms—Seattle Tilth, Oxbow Farm, and Pike Place Market Farm to Go. The collaboration is designed both to support employees who want to focus on healthier eating, and to strengthen the local food economy.
“I love the CSA project,” said Diane Korf, a Juvenile Probation Counselor with King County Juvenile Court. Diane volunteers as a Farm Fresh Local CSA Coordinator for her work location, and coordinates the delivery of CSA boxes to employees who subscribe.
“I really appreciate that King County is on board, helping its employees access better quality foods and now giving them Healthy Incentives credit”, added Diane. Subscribing in the 2016 pilot season helped put employees on a path to earning lower out-of-pocket medical costs for 2017.
Through the CSA pilot, King County employees choose which sized box, or “share,” best suits their needs and pay up front for the produce to be delivered to their participating King County worksite for 15 to 20 weeks, from June through October. A typical 15-week share runs around $300-400, depending on the farm, the share size, and other factors. The weekly delivery comes with fruits and vegetables, as well as a Fresh Sheet which includes recipe ideas, a popular aspect of the program.
“I enjoy supporting the CSA program because it gives our County employees yet another opportunity to bring healthy vegetables into their kitchens and support local agriculture,” said Faon O’Connor, an Administrative Specialist with Public Health – Seattle & King County who serves as a CSA Coordinator for the Chinook Building.
District Court employees happy with the variety and convenience of their CSA delivery.
“Personally, I also enjoy the chance to try new vegetables and come up with meals based on the produce that shows up!”
In addition to the personal health benefits, the Farm Fresh Local CSA raises awareness about local agriculture and helps to support the long term viability of farming in our community. Employees participating in the program represent a new market for local farms and are thus deeply connected to local agriculture. In this way, King County is also directly ensuring that farming operations within the area are successful, thriving business.
“We all feel better when we eat healthy fruits and veggies,” said Michael Lufkin, Local Food Economy Manager with DNRP. “Supporting locally sourced food supports both the health and well-being of families and helps build stronger more sustainable communities.”
“Employees get a better product, they know where it came from and they’re supporting a local farmer.”
About 100 County employees subscribed for workplace CSA delivery this past season at the eight participating locations. An upcoming evaluation will determine whether the Farm Fresh Local CSA pilot will continue next year and, if so, at what locations. To stay tuned about future plans and learn more about the Farm Fresh Local CSA program, visit the Farm Fresh Local page on the King County Employee Health & Well-Being website.
To find farmer’s markets, discover what’s in season year round, look up recipes or even visit a local farm, visit Puget Sound Fresh at www.pugetsoundfresh.org. For information about what King County is doing to support local farmers succeed in their businesses visit Farm King County at www.farmkingcounty.org.
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