Polk NC Locally Grown has announced the availability of memberships in a new, second-generation style of Community Sponsored Agriculture (CSA) cooperative. CSAs of the first generation functioned by paying an upfront payment to an individual farm, and then received 20 weeks of fresh produce that was all equally distributed to all its members each week.
“This meant that everyone received the same exact variety and volume of produce week after week despite what their personal tastes and needs may have been,” Says Mary Lita of Giardini Trattoria.
“For many people the surprise of what they would receive was fun and exciting, but for many people, it became problematic in that they were receiving items they might not have been fond of, or that they did not receive enough of other items that they loved.”
Polk NC Locally Grown offers instead an internet based, custom ordering system. When you join Locally Grown, you have access to the fresh harvest of an entire network of organically grown local produce, fresh cut flowers, and value added items (like fresh bread, pestos, salad dressing, jellies, herbal tea).
“Your upfront seasonal payment goes into a debit-like system account, which you are able to draw from in any way you desire throughout the growing season,” Lita says.
“Each Saturday well send you an e-mail notice of everything that is available for purchase in the upcoming week along with a link to the website. You browse the items and place an order for exactly what you would like for that week.
“The farmers harvest on Monday and Tuesday, and on Wednesday (between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. at Giardini), you pick up your bag that has all the fresh, delicious items in it that you ordered. The amount of your order will be automatically deducted from your account, so theres no waiting and no exchange of money on a weekly basis.”
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Asheville Regional Airport Authority commemorated last Wednesday American Airlines inaugural flight from AVL to Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW) with a ribbon-cutting and celebration in the main airport terminal, and a ceremonial water arch for the departing flight.
Local officials joined with representatives from ARAA and American Eagle, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, in launching the new seasonal service, which runs daily on a 44-seat Embraer ERJ-140 aircraft.
“We are pleased to partner with American in creating a link from Asheville to the American Airlines network,” says Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., Airport Director. “This opens the door to a wide array of travel opportunities for residents of, as well as visitors to, Asheville and the Western North Carolina region.”
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Christopher Copenhaver, M.D., an allergist with Pardee Hospital and Allergy Partners of WNC, will present “Get Relief and Enjoy Your Summer” at the Pardee Health Education Center on Tue., April 20, from 12:30 until 1:30 p.m.
Allergies are a response of the immune system. They are a very common problem, affecting one out of every five Americans.
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