CSA option for low incomes

We are happy to announce that Clarion River Organics CSA shares can now be paid for with Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) vouchers and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cards. And to make our shares even more affordable to people with low incomes, we are offering a 50% discount to anyone paying with SNAP.

Organic food and CSA shares are often seen as something for people with extra money. It shouldn't be that way. Most of us actually can fit a good amount of local organic food into our budgets if it we make it a priority. But it is difficult for some people to put up a couple hundred dollars at one time for a CSA share. Thanks to the USDA which is trying to help farmers use the SNAP payment system, and thanks to all our CSA members whose commitment has made it possible for us to create this opportunity, we're trying to lower that barrier.

If you or anyone you know would like to use these payment methods for the Clarion River Organics CSA share just give us a call and we'll tell you how exactly it works.

Strawberry Harvest Party - May 26 - Reserve Your Spot Now!

We are happy to announce our first farm event of the season, our Strawberry Harvest Party.  The details for the event are in the flier below.  There is limited space, so you will have to reserve a spot.

This is our first (and biggest) farm event of the year.  We hope you can make it out to meet our farmers, see our produce and fields, and celebrate the first fruits of summer together!

Only 2 Weeks Left to Register for Our Full CSA!

Our first CSA delivery is coming up in just a little over 2 weeks--which means there are only 2 weeks left to sign up as a member for the full season.

Yes--there is still space.  Our cooperative is young, and our CSA is even younger, and we have plenty of room for growth, so we are accepting as many people as sign-up this year.

We will also be accepting sign-ups throughout the season, but if you're interested in joining--we encourage you to join now and not miss out on some of our spring produce (like asparagus and strawberries) that won't be around for long.

If you are interested in our CSA, we encourage you to learn more by clicking on the "CSA" tab at the top of this page.  If you have decided you would like to sign up, you can do so here.

Organic Art

Brooklyn artist Luisa Caldwell makes paintings incorporating the little stickers found on fruits and vegetables. Here is a piece she did using our Red Kuri Squash sticker as daisy petals.


I love how she evokes the beauty of nature using man made stuff that would usually go in the trash. It very much in the spirit of the beauty we're trying to create with Clarion River Organics. Check out more of her work at her site:  luisacaldwell.com

+Clarion River Organics at the Pittsburgh Farm Markets+
Hello Farm-Fresh Local Produce lovers!

The Sewickly Farmer's Market is now OPEN and we're excited.We've listed the market schedule at the end of this newsletter, so be sure to check out your closest seasonal market!

Also, be sure to come down and check out our new DAIRY STAND! All the Riverview and Pasture Maid dairy products are now located at a separate stand at the Public Market. We expanded into a second stall so that we can bring you MORE exceptional local farm-fresh cheese from MORE family farms, and so we could have more room for all the amazing fruits and vegetables we are growing this year. (see more in the highlight section!)

GOAT MILK, you say? We would like to start carrying goat milk at the dairy stand but we need at least 10 people to order - $7/half gallon - $4/quart - Place your order in the online store or email

..ONLINE STORE? Yes! We've opened the online store, a new and exciting way to purchase the variety of goods that our farmers are producing. You can place an order for meat, produce, dairy products, grains and more, and then pick up your goods at the Public Market on Saturday that week.

Also, MORE GRAINS are on the way! Not this weekend but next weekend we will have in freshly milled local organic grains, Corn, Wheat, and Spelt:
Corn meal, polenta, puffed corn, spelt berries, spelt flour, honey coated puffed spelt, golden spelt flour, bran, and whole wheat flour

To find more ways to keep up with the farms you can follow our blog (interesting news from the field!), facebook (socialializing and important updates), or twitter (tidbits and bites)!

This Week
From our Clarion River farms we've brought down:
- Daikon Radish
- Turnips
- Mixed fingerling potatoes
- Red Beets
- Russet & Red potatoes
- Eggs
- Beef (Organically Raised, Grass-Fed)
- Pork (Organically Raised, Pastured)
- Chicken, stewing (Organically Raised, Pastured)
- Lamb (Grass-Fed)
- Goat
- Rabbit

Organic Grains
- Rolled Spelt
- Spelt flour
- Pancake Mix

And also:
- Greens from our friends at Goose Creek Gardens.

*indicates products only available at the Pittsburgh Public Market

:: HIGHLIGHT: More Cheese! ::

We have expanded at the Pittsburgh Public Market!

In an effort to be loyal to more local family farms, we're bringing in DELICIOUS cow & goat cheese from Western PA dairies -- most of which are available to sample at the stand, just ask if you don't see it out!
The cheese stand is called Family Farms Creamery because it will carry all things dairy from family farms that process their own milk that they are producing.
There is some amazing cheese from Clover Creek Cheese Cellars and fun 100% grass-fed cheeses from Milky Way Meadows located near Meadville.

Keep up to date with Family Farms Creamery at
http://www.familyfarmscreamery.com/
"Long Live the Micro-Diary...Long Live the Family Farm!"

Farm Market Schedule

Day                Location                Time              Season

Tuesday SouthSide (18th and Carson) 3:30 - 7:00 May - November

Wednesday          Phipps Conservatory   2:30 - 6:30 June - October

                              Fox Chapel         3- 6:30      June - October

Thursday                    Market Square 10:00 - 2:00 June - November

                    Upper St Clair        4:00 - 7:00 June - October

Friday                                Oakland      4:00 - 7:00 June - October

Pittsburgh Public Market 10:00 - 6:00 Year Round

Saturday                      Sewickley 9:00 - 1:00 Now- Thanksgiving

Pittsburgh Public Market  9:00 - 5:00 Year Round

Sunday          Pittsburgh Public Market   10:00 - 4:00 Year Round