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Everything you wanted to know about starting a CSA project in NYC can be found in this guide. Just Food has gathered experiences and lessons learned since 1996 by 30 CSA groups that it has helped to start and compiled them here in this easy-to-follow book. The Toolkit features a chronological series of Tipsheets corresponding with Just Food’s CSA in NYC Start-up Workshop Series and outlines important steps of organizing, including recruiting members, making CSA accessible to people of all income levels, applying to accept Food Stamps, and conducting a cooking demonstration, along with lots of sample materials, and a resource list for learning more.

The CSA Toolkit contains information on:

Just Food CSA Tip Sheet Series
Year One 3-Part Agreement - Role of Farmer, City Group and Just Food
Fresh Information about CSA Fact Sheet
Recruiting checklist
Just Food Member Agreement Template
Just Food Farmer/Community Organization Agreement Template
Sample City Group Info Packets
Sample Farm Brochures
Sample Newsletters
Sample Flyers
Suggested Payment Guidelines
Food Stamp Packet
Bookkeeping Templates
Mechanisms to Prevent Losses
Work Shift Template
Price Comparison Study
CSA Resource List

Information was gathered from various sources throughout New York City , State and beyond to create this comprehensive guide to urban agriculture in NYC. The City Farms Toolkit is comprised of over 70 tipsheets touching on everything from planting calendars to soil care to season extension. This toolkit also contains a resources directory linking community gardeners to over 100 relevant agencies and organizations. Although this toolkit was developed specifically for city farmers in New York , most elements are useful to hobby gardeners, urban farmers and organic growers everywhere.

The City Farms Toolkit contains information on:

Organic Urban Agriculture
Crop Production
Garden Planning & Schedules
Planting Techniques
Seeds
Soils, Compost, Cover Crops
Structures
Pests
Organization, Preparation and Distribution
Field to Fork – Copy of Harvest Log & Instructions; Canning Fruits and Vegetables; Community Food Education Tip-sheets
Entrepreneurship – Core Group Division of Labor; How to prepare a Maintenance Manual; Feasibility and Business Plan Checklist; Microenterprise support
Marketing – Crops for Direct Marketing (including herbs and flowers); Marketing Measurements; Tips for a Market Vendor; Guide to Starting a farmer's Market in NYC; Farm Stand vs. Green Markets in NYC (need)
Donation – List of EFPs that accept Fresh Vegetables; Working With Soup Kitchens and Food Pantries; Food Guide and Food Triangle
Resources: Physical & Informational
Partners
Mentors
Government Point Person
Other Agencies – greening organizations, environmental advocacy, borough botanical gardens
Sources for material resources and giveaways
Successful Models of Urban Food Growers
Model Projects from Around the Country/World
Youth Farm-Stand Project
Demonstration Gardens

With the joy of being a community gardener or a CSA member comes the assortment of our region's fresh fruits and vegetables. Sometimes we have more produce then we know what to do with or we find a new and unfamiliar vegetable in our CSA share. Just Food's Veggie Tipsheets will give you new creative ways to prepare the season's bounty with a variety of recipes, storage tips and nutritional information.