Small Farm Is a Hit in the Big City 2015-08-24

Community supported agriculture farms, or CSAs, seek people who pay in advance for fresh vegetables and fruits. One farmer has now expanded his CSA program to a law firm in New York City. The busy lawyers there are loving the service.

The Glebocki family has been in the farming business since 1894. But staying in business is not easy. Farming requires a lot of money for seeds and equipment at the beginning of the growing season. And farmers do not know how much money they will get for their crops at the end of the season. They are also not sure if anyone will buy what they grow.

John Glebocki, the current farm owner, has one solution to these problems: community supported agriculture. CSAs, for short, are partnerships between farmers and community members. Mr. Glebocki also offers his CSA program to businesses and delivers directly to offices.

Customers pay $525 in advance for 22 weeks of fresh fruits and vegetables -- all picked at their peak.

"Many different types of root vegetables, different types of greens, seasonal items like the tomatoes and sweet corn.

"Yellow sweet corn, sweet, don't even have to cook it."

Every Thursday, John Glebocki and his workers load the truck for the 96-kilometer trip to New York City. The driver and his fresh vegetables drive through the big city streets, then stop at the Winston and Strawn law firm.

Renee Zimmerman and Rachel Benjamin work at the firm. They are also loyal CSA customers.

"Everyone should join. It's a great way to keep our farmers in business to insure we continue to get fresh produce."

"And, it's fresh and it's a little weird that you get it at work."

Victor Barnett and Mikaela Evans-Aziz also work at the law firm. They say the convenience of the CSA is important.

"It's nice to get this fresh produce every Friday. I don't have to run to the grocery store, it's real convenient for me."

"We love it. It's the only fresh food we get in our diets. We have kind of crazy hours, and we look forward to this every week."

Martina Owens helped bring the CSA to the firm. One of her goals was to bring people together. She says the program has been a success. Workers gather to pick up their fruits and vegetables and share recipes.

And for farmer John Glebocki, the CSA gives some protection from the economic uncertainties of agriculture. He knows what he can grow and sell, and he knows what he will get for his crops. That stability can keep a family farm in business.

I'm Marsha James.

Bernard Shusman reported this story from Washington. Marsha James adapted it for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor.

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Words in This Story

customers n. people who buy goods or services from a business

peak v. to reach the highest level

firm n. a business or organization

convenience n. a quality that makes something easy or useful by reducing the amount of work or time required

stability n. the quality or state of something that is not easily moved