Villanova Dining Services has teamed up with Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative to bring community supported agriculture (CSA) to the Villanova community. Villanova’s CSA will be coordinated through the 2nd Storey market in St. Mary’s hall. Villanova students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to purchase vegetable shares through the Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative. Each week for shares consisting of a variety of fresh produce from that week’s harvest will be delivered to the 2nd Storey for members to pick up and enjoy.

We are pleased to announce that Villanova will be continuing our CSA program for the Summer and Fall Semesters - The program will be very similar to the Fall program, details below.

• Sign up on the Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative website - Click Here to sign up
• Bring a copy of your registration and payment (cash, Wildcard, Visa, Mastercard, or check) to the 2nd Storey in St. Mary's hall Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 2:00 am or Saturday and Sunday Noon to 2:00 am.
• There are several share options available for the Summer -Summer shares are delivered weekly beginning the week of May 29, 2012 and ending the week of August 7, 2012 (skipping delivery week of July 3). 10 deliveries total.
  Option 1 - Full Vegetable share - $290 - 10 weeks
  Option 2 - Half Vegetable Shres - $180 - 10 weeks
  Option 3 - Fruit Share - $180 - 10 weeks
  Option 4 - half fruit share - $90 - 10 weeks
  Option 5 - Egg Share - $80 - 10 weeks
  Option 6 - half egg share - $40 - 10 weeks
  Option 7 - Cheese Share - $50 - 2 deliveries
  Option 8 - Flower share - $105 - 8 weeks
  Option 9 - CSM share (Community Supported Medicine)- $60 - 2 deliveries
   
• Fall Shares will begin September 9th - there are also several options available for FallL
  Option 1 - Full Share - $375 - 13 weeks
  Option 2 - Half Share - $235 - 13 weeks
  Option 3 - Fruit Share $130 - 7 weeks
  Option 4 - half fruit share - $65 7 weeks
  Option 5 - Cheese Share - $25 - 1 delivery
  Option 6 - Flower share - $90 - 7 weeks
  Option 7 - CSM Share(community Supported Medicine)- $30 - 1 delivery
  Fall shares are delivered weekly beginning the week of September 9, 2012 and ending the week of December 11, 2012 (skipping delivery weeks of October 16 and November 20). 13 deliveries total.
• Shares will be available for pick up by members from Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday at 4:00 pm.
• In order to avoid waste, items that are not picked up will be offered on the salad bar and used in recipes in St. Mary's and 2nd Storey.

Share Descriptions

Full Vegetable Share

If you want to experience the great diversity of vegetables available in the Mid-Atlantic region this is the share type for you. We love growing and experimenting with the more unique varieties and we hope that you are equally as enthusiastic. But don’t be mistaken, the cooking staples like onions, garlic, zucchini and tomatoes are just as exciting to us. Furthermore, our produce is more delicious than you can find in the store for two reasons – the Certified Organic methods we practice, and the quickness in which we deliver the produce to you. Why is organic more flavorful? Because when plants defend themselves from pests and climate (rather than depend on chemicals) they develop strong immunities – which translate into a robust array of vitamins and minerals. Those nutrients, once a plant is harvested, slowly diminish. Since we deliver the produce within a day or so of harvest, the nutrients will be at their peak availability.

Half Vegetable Share

The Half Vegetable share was created to strike a balance for those who typically cook two or three times a week and those who prefer the traditional kitchen staples. These items are the same size and quality as what is included in the Full Share. There’s only one difference: the quantity. Each week brings 4 – 9 types of produce including Lettuce, Cabbage, Onions, Beets, Tomatoes, Cucumbers and Potatoes.

Fruit Share

Every month has its fruit and you will discover all the many varieties summer conjures. Early season favorites include strawberries, blueberries and cherries. As the summer turns hot and dry the climate is primed for watermelons and cantaloupes. When we approach autumn, pears and apples will be coming in by the bushel. We source the fruit from our member farms, as well as local and regional partners. All fruit is either Certified Organic or raised using the environmentally sensitive IPM (Integrated Pest Management) standard. Occasionally, when production is low, the fruit share includes jams, ciders and fruit butters – all crafted locally.

Flower Share – Weekly

The beauty of summer blooms in bright colors and delightful scents. Bouquets are assembled at several of our member farms using fresh cut flowers. Varieties include but are not limited to: Echinacea, Zinnia, Celosia, Mexican Sage and Golden Rod. A perfect addition to your living environment.

Community Supported Medicine (CSM)

Each share will contain two to three fresh herbs and/or prepared products. Shares will also include information about the plants, along with medicinal usages and remedies for keeping you and your family healthy throughout the year. Items in shares will vary with the seasons. In the summer, shares will include several bunches of fresh herbs with recipes for making beneficial teas with herbs like chamomile for calming, lemon balm for energy, and hyssop for colds. Later in the fall when our harvest is slowing down, you will receive prepared medicinal products to expand your herbal medicine cabinet with things like tinctures for boosting immunity, tonics for aiding digestion, salves and oils for all purpose skin healing and herb infused bath salts for relaxing aching muscles.