by Alison Limoges
In case you haven’t heard, Farm2Market, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project of Alameda Point Collaborative (APC) at Alameda’s former Navy base, has a new manager. Jess Bloomer is excited to be overseeing this two acre diversified farm and social enterprise which is all about “Supporting the Community, Stewarding the Land and Sharing the Bounty.” Created by APC in 2005, it began as the Growing Youth Project to teach youth to grow healthy food for their community. Today, it’s a working farm that employs residents of APC, provides on-the-job training and offers educational volunteer experiences.
Jess moved to California with her family last summer. She brings a deep commitment to, and broad experience with, food, social justice and community health issues. She developed these through her work with urban farms and school gardens in Massachusetts and New Orleans. At Farm2Market Jess manages two APC residents, an AmeriCorps Vista volunteer and two part time assistant managers, including Alameda Backyard Growers’ board member, Sarah Miller. In addition to staff, the farm relies on help from teen to senior volunteers for weeding, planting, watering and harvesting, as well as tech support and food distribution. So, if you’ve been wanting to get your hands in dirt, to learn more about edible gardening, or want to do something useful, gratifying and Zen, helping out at this abundant farm may be just the place for you!
While Farm2Market is operational year-round, its delicious organic fruits and vegetables are available in three seasons: Spring, Summer and Fall. The fresh, weekly boxes, called shares, include a mix of what’s in season. The Spring shares, available starting in late March, can include: asparagus, greens, peas, radishes, bok choy, spinach and citrus. Shares are offered on a membership basis with priority going to current buyers, then a wait list, then new members. Shares can be picked up at the farm stand or are delivered locally. If you’re interested in joining and supporting this thriving farm this Spring, the time to sign up is now. Members can also sponsor shares for local families in need. For more information about share options, public events, volunteer opportunities, store products, hours, visit www.apcollaborative.org. To sign up to join click here.
Located at 2600 Barbers Point Road, Alameda, F2M is across the street from Alameda’s Main Street Ferry Terminal, next to the new “Maker Farm” and near Ploughshares Nursery. Do yourself a favor and check out this fabulous local resource that is truly helping to steward the land, share the bounty and help our community.
