Supporting local farmers
Every week for the past four summers, a delivery truck parks at Shedd’s loading dock. Instead of dropping off sea salt or food for our collection, the driver unloads boxes bulging with locally grown organic produce for our staff.
Shedd participates in a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, where customers (“shareholders”) pay a local farmer up front for a portion of the season’s crops. Farmers use the money to fund operations on their farms, which are often organic. In return, shareholders receive a share of each week’s harvest for the season. Shedd works with farmer Vicki Westerhoff, who runs Genesis Growers just down the road in St. Anne, Illinois.
Why is Shedd part of a CSA? Through CSAs, people directly support local, organic agriculture which is one of the most powerful actions that we can take to protect healthy land, water, air, and wildlife. It is also good for our health: shareholders receive a variety (and a lot!) of organic vegetables, fruits and herbs throughout the season.
Unlike the grocery store, CSA shareholders get what is currently growing. It takes a little adjustment – if you’re like me, you didn’t t fully grasp the seasonality of “everyday” crops such as spinach! Yet, this seasonal variety winds up being fun: when our boxes included Daikon (a type of radish) the length of my forearm, you could almost see the creative gears turning as my fellow shareholders began thinking about how to prepare it.
Shareholders also have unique opportunities to connect with farmers. Many CSAs hold workdays for subscribers – and believe me, you appreciate that tomato so much more when you realize how much work it takes to plant or pick a row of its friends.
Wherever you live, you’re probably closer to a local farmer than you think.
Check out Local Harvest to find a CSA or farmers market near you!
Posted by Meg Matthews, conservation
Does Shedd feed it's animals organic food?
Posted by: Alyssa | February 15, 2010 at 06:38 PM
Alyssa, it depends.
For vegetarian animals, yes, their food is 100% organic.
On the other hand, for carnivores (belugas, dolphins, sharks, etc.) get only the highest-quality enviornmentally-friendly fish and shellfish.
Hope this helps!
Posted by: Joe D. | February 18, 2010 at 06:10 PM
Our turtles, tortoises and iguanas enjoyed organic produce from Shedd’s CSA over the summer and many of our carnivorous animals receive food purchased from sustainable seafood providers. We are committed to increasing sustainable diets for our animals and will be exploring new options this year. Stay tuned!
Posted by: Caroline Monestero, web editor | February 19, 2010 at 10:19 AM
Can we get another update on Puiji's calf?
Posted by: Joe D. | February 23, 2010 at 07:47 AM