A CSA farmer reflects on how his farming choices help to feed his community.

CSA farmers often distribute a newsletter along with weekly share, giving news about the farm to the members, along with cooking tips, more information about unusual vegetables, and the like. For Jean-Paul Courtens of Roxbury Farm in Kinderhook, New York, the newsletter is also a chance to talk about the philosophical choices behind the farm’s growing practices, how and why Roxbury differs from the industrial agriculture paradigm and to start a conversation with his 1100 CSA members about the implications of their food choices.

Jean-Paul sees himself as part of the “Peasant Food Web” rather than the “Industrial Food Chain.”  In other words, peasant agriculture is central not only to the food security and food sovereignty of the developing world, but is also part of feeding communities in and around US cities. Read his letter here.