The Community Supported Co-op, CSC is a great solution for busy people who have a commitment to eating well and supporting sustainable agriculture.

CSC too a break for the summer. This service will be available at the Co-op again with deliveries starting on November 28, 2007. The CSC supports local farmers by providing distribution of produce to homes in the surrounding neighborhoods.

CSC was developed as an offshoot of CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) programs. CSA’s tend to include produce from one farm, delivered to a central location or picked up and paid a full season in advance. However the CSC includes produce from many local farms, is delivered to your home (in the surrounding areas) and can be paid for weekly.

The Durham Food Co-op’s CSC has been successful at bringing more local produce into our community for the past year. Many families, organizations and individuals used this service to ensure that they were supporting sustainable farming practices and eating healthfully.

Check out what produce is at the Co-op and produce specials.

Why CSC?

Supporting Local Farmers
Local produce is grown within 100 miles. Many farmers are moving away from administering CSA – Community Supported Agriculture programs due to circumstances involved in growing such a wide variety of produce, and challenges in distribution. The Co-op’s urban location and the fact that we tend to keep a wide variety of produce in stock diminishes these challenges for us. Participating in the CSC has been a way that you can support local farmers as they transition to sustainable business models.

Decreasing Your Ecological Footprint – Reducing Food Miles
The vast majority of energy used in the U.S. food system (around 80 percent) goes to processing, packaging, transporting, storing, and preparing food. Produce in the U.S. travels, on average, 1300 - 2000 miles from farm to consumer. Since 1970, truck shipping has dramatically increased, replacing more energy efficient transportation by rail and water. Local food systems can reduce "food miles" and transportation costs, offering significant energy savings. Consumers also benefit from fresher, better-tasting, and more nutritious food, while more food dollars stay within rural communities.

Eating Healthy
Having the good stuff (fruits & vegetables) delivered to your front door will be great motivation to incorporate these health boosters into your diet. Busy people tend to reach for processed foods, but the CSC puts your local farm in your fridge. Our recipes will help you find creative ways to make healthy eating yummy.

Supporting The Durham Food Co-op
The DFC is developing a network of local farmers that supply the store with produce. Not only does the CSC support that effort, but it increases sales (for the farmers & the Co-op) which makes a local food network a sustainable endeavor. CSC gives the Co-op an opportunity to offer a wider range of produce.

CSC FAQ

What Goes in a CSC Weekly Produce Bag?
The produce is chosen based on the availability of seasonal, local and organic produce while providing a well-rounded selection of produce. Each bag will contain a variety of produce including greens, root vegetables and fruit. Our produce bags are all organic with a priority given to local produce. Many of our local farmers along with ECO (Eastern Carolina Organics) deliver on the day produce bags are prepared. A list of the content and origin of the produce along with tasty recipes will be included with each bag.

How do I Sign Up?
A single share of produce is $20 and a double share is $35. You can pick which weeks you want the service. Orders must be placed at least 2 Just fill out the CSC form at the register and pay your total to the cashier, have the cashier sign the form and leave the form in the CSC folder.

Where is CSC Delivered To?
Delivery is available in the following neighborhoods:
Downtown Durham, Duke Central Campus, Duke East Campus, Duke Forest, Duke Park, Duke West Campus, Forest Hills, Lakewood, Morehead Hills, Old West Durham, Old North Durham, Trinity Heights, Trinity Park, Walltown, Watts, Watts-Hillandale, The West End

When is Delivery?
Deliveries occur on Wednesdays between 5-8pm. If you choose to pick-up your bag at the Co-op, you may do so as early as 4pm.