Seed to Table expands produce shares program

Seed to Table, a Sisters agricultural and education nonprofit, is opening sign-ups January 20 for this season’s produce shares. The early sign-up offers a longer availability of fresh veggies, sliding-scale payment options, and SNAP/EBT payment options.

Seed to Table’s produce share is based on a model called community supported agriculture or CSA. This concept was created in the 1960s by Booker T. Whatley, a Black horticulturist, agricultural professor, and advocate for farming practices that help sustain and rebuild the land. In a produce share, individuals or families pay in advance or monthly for a season of fresh, local vegetables. Each week the bounty of veggies is laid out market-style at the Seed to Table farmstand. Produce share members browse and choose what they want to take home.

A small produce share receives six to eight items and a large share receives nine to 11 items each week.

The produce shares run May 4 through October 19. With the incorporation of a spring greens variety, this is nearly a month longer than previous years.

Pickups happen at Seed to Table Farm in Sisters 3 to 5:45 p.m. on Wednesdays or at Sisters Farmers Market on Sundays from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. If transportation is a barrier, Seed to Table can arrange to deliver to locations within 20 miles of Sisters.

Seed to Table has been learning from fellow farmers and advocates across the country about methods to increase access to fresh produce.

“The board and staff are grateful for the opportunity to build on models from other farms to implement a new sliding-scale payment system intended to better serve the variety of needs of our community members,” said Audrey Tehan, founder and executive director.

With this sliding-scale model, members choose a payment level that works best for them. The first option starts at $20 a week, and moves to the “Market Value,” and finally a “Pay It Forward” share.

Moving to a sliding-scale payment model supports a vision where all people have access to fresh produce. Sign-ups begin January 20 at http://www.seedtotableoregon.org.