Churches in Wake County have formed a CSA with local black farmers.
This multi-church project is in its third year and there is lots of room for your ideas and energy. Community United Church of Christ is taking a leading role. Our climate crisis work is always justice work.
We are working with the Rural Advancement Foundation International and their Farmers of Color network. For our first share offering in Spring 2021, 8 congregations pre-purchased 80 shares from three farms: a total of $20,000 worth of produce. The advance payment provides money for planting and expenses which the farmers can use rather than seeking loans. Each church decides how to use their produce – for a feeding program they already run, distributing it to members, donating to a food pantry.
Farmers of color in the United States continue to endure systemic racism within the food system. By connecting specific farmers with the cooperating congregations, farmers are able to create an additional source of income and access new local markets while the faith communities gain improved access to fresh, healthy food for their congregants and provide hunger relief for consistently vulnerable populations.
How to purchase a share or get involved in the project
If you would be interested in working on this project, or want to purchase food through the CSA, contact us. We advertise for the next season’s share purchase in our newsletter, so watch there. Shareholders are invited to an optional twice monthly Zoom with the farmers where we talk about the crops and weather, recipes, and the family news that friends exchange.