Two new pickup sites for the Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative’s affordable produce have been established in West Philly, according to the cooperative’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program Manager Evan Elizabeth Miller. The previously established site at CHOP has been recently suspended by the hospital.

CSA is currently working with two residents in the area, one in Spruce Hill, and the other in Garden Court, who will serve as site hosts for this program. A site host is a volunteer who provides an area where the CSA produce boxes are delivered.

Lancaster Farm Fresh is a non-profit organic farmers cooperative with the headquarters in Lancaster County, PA. One of the cooperative’s goals is to increase access to local, fresh and organic foods to inner city neighborhoods, like West Philadelphia. According to Miller, farmers markets are a great way for people to get produce in the summer months, but it is rarely affordable to lower income families. The CSA program is offering the farm’s produce at the same prices as those given to their wholesalers.

CSA also has a Fresh Food Fund, which grows through contributions given by the members, used to subsidize the costs of CSA shares to families and individuals in need. They were recently approved to accept Access card/SNAP benefits and are looking for an organization in West Philly to sponsor them (manage their EBT machine), so they can establish an additional pickup site where the membership can pay for their food with their access funds.

To sign up for the CSA membership please go here and fill out an application form. West Philly residents can either pick the ‘Garden Court’ or ‘Spruce Hill’ options. The Winter Share program begins January 16, 2012. You can find detailed description of winter product offerings here. If you have questions please email: csa [at] lancasterfarmfresh.com or call 717-656-3533.