For the second year, Persephone Market Garden is providing subsidized baskets of vegetables to community members in need. Thanks to the generosity of farm customers and other community members, the farm is able to offer shares in its community supported agriculture program to individuals and families that face financial barriers to accessing healthy, local food. The process for applying is simple – interested individuals are asked to write a short summary of why they would like a share and why they are in need of financial support to access it; no details or precise numbers necessary. Shares are subsidized by up to 50% of thetotal cost, which ranges from $360 to $600 for the 20 week long season.

Persephone Market Garden operates a community supported agriculture (CSA) program. In a CSA, customers make a commitment to the farm by purchasing a share of the harvest and making a deposit at the start of the growing season. That way, the farmers can focus on growing and harvesting great produce during the season, rather than on marketing. Throughout the summer and fall, members receive a weekly share of the farm's produce. Shares are available in three sizes and are delivered to Owen Sound, Port Elgin and Wiarton.

"It's an honour to receive the financial support of community members that allows us to offer these shares at reduced cost. The donors are passionate about making fresh and healthy food available to everyone in the community and so are we." says Kristine Hammel, owner of Persephone Market Garden, along with her husband, Thorsten. Kristine estimates that almost 10% of the farm's shares this year will be available at the subsized rate.

About Persephone Market Garden

Persephone Market Garden is 100 acres of forest, swamp, pasture and vegetable fields, located between Owen Sound and Sauble Beach. We strive to grow food that is good, clean & fair (inspired by Slow Food)! Good: grown to be delicious and nutritious. Clean: grown in a way that protects natural resources, the farmer's health and eater's health. Fair: affordable for the eater and aliving wage for the farmer. We operate a community shared agriculture program (CSA), delivering weekly baskets of vegetables to Owen Sound, Port Elgin and Wiarton from mid­June to the end of October.

Find out more here