Borough signs on to regional farm share program

North Wales Borough is taking part in a new program that could bring fresh food to the area in a new way.

The borough has signed on to “The Common Market Farm Share,” a food delivery program that could be started on a trial basis as soon as this summer.

“This is a 12-week, biweekly delivery of fresh food, June through November, and there are different options you can buy into: you can pay biweekly, or pay all up front,” said Borough Man-

ager Christine Hart.

The Common Market program is a nonprofit regional food distributor that connects family farms with customers for their products, and a regional office is located in Philadelphia in addition to others in New York, Washington DC and elsewhere across the country. Last year, the program’s nearest pickup sites were in Worcester and Horsham, Hart told council May 8, but North Wales staff are willing to allow use of the borough municipal building if there’s enough resident interest in the program.

“Everything is handled online, through the farmers’ market program. The consortium just works with them and chooses municipal locations, so the farms can drop off there,” she said.

Those who take part can sign up for at least one delivery of fruit, vegetables, poultry, meat, bread, or dairy products, with prices varying depending on the size of the share. The borough learned of the program through the Delaware Valley Health Insurance Trust, Hart said, and she and assistant manager Alan Guzzardo confirmed this week that the borough has hit the target of 20 users required by the program, and more details will be announced as they are finalized.

Councilman Ronald Lit- tle said, while he had not done this particular program before, he had taken part in similar farm shares and enjoyed the results.

“I have been a member of other CSA’s — community supported agriculture — and for anybody who’s never done it before, produce straight from the farm tastes a lot different, a lot better, than produce from a grocery store,” Little said.

“Every once in a while, you find things you never would have considered trying before. I’ve gotten to expand the things I eat, and it’s just a wonderful experience,” he said.

For more information on The Common Market Farm Share program, visit www. CMFarmShare.org.