Rodale Institute Agriculture Supported Communities

Fresh, locally-grown, organic produce at affordable prices

Agriculture Supported Communities (ASC) is a farm share program where every member’s dollar makes them a stakeholder and a part of the farm itself. Members receive a seasonal “share” of organic produce each week throughout the season that can be picked up at a local community site.

There are many different kinds of farm share models, but the ASC is unique because we have different payment options to suit your family’s needs and budget. You can either pay for the whole season up front, or you can pay for your share on a weekly basis. We hope to make fresh, organic produce affordable and accessible to anyone. And we accept cash, credit cards and SNAP benefits!

By becoming a member of Rodale Institute’s ASC you are supporting organic agriculture as well as the local food system. You are in direct contact with your food source, and, in most cases, the food that you receive has been harvested the day you pick it up. It doesn’t get much fresher than that!

WHAT:
A share consists of 1-2 bags of fresh organic produce each week containing a diverse rainbow of flavors that can include vegetables and herbs. Flowers, seasonal apple cider and eggs are also available to order for an extra fee. Members can either pay for the whole season up front ($750.00 for a full share) OR pay weekly ($25.00 for a full share, $15.00 for a half share).

WHEN:
The typical season runs from June – November.

WHERE:
Berks County Intermediate Unit, Reading, PA
Rodale Institute, Kutztown, PA
Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown, PA
Community Services for Children, Inc., Allentown, PA
Rodale, Inc., Emmaus, PA (employees only)

The ASC program is also the training grounds for future farmers. A minimum of five interns will join us for eight months at the Rodale Institute to learn every aspect of starting up, maintaining and running a small organic grower’s business. At the end of the season, ASC interns will go back to their communities with the foundational tools to start their own ASC businesses increasing job opportunities and availability of fresh organic produce in communities with low-access. By becoming a shareholder, you are also supporting organic agriculture, the web of local food systems, and community health.

Apply for an internship now!

Need more information about ASC or becoming a member?
Contact Cynthia James, Food Production Specialist, at cynthia.james@rodaleinstitute.org.



Support for our ASC program was provided by:

Site hosts
Rodale Inc.
Sacred Heart Hospital
Berks County Intermediate Unit
Community Services for Children

Material support
Corona Tools
Johnny’s Selected Seeds
High Mowing Organic Seeds
Global Hunger Foundation
Kremmer’s Café and Catering
NRCS
PA Department of Agriculture

Community support/partnerships
Envision Lehigh Valley
Community Action Development Corporation of Allentown
Allentown Health Bureau
St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
Buy Fresh Buy Local Lehigh Valley Chapter
Lehigh University ILR Business Program
Lehigh University Small Business Development Center
Tri-State Regional CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) Program