The Rodale Institute, in Kutztown, is now making their 2016 Agriculture Supported Communities (ASC) program available to local residents to increase access to affordable, fresh, high-quality, locally grown organic produce. Each week, ASC members receive a mixed share of delicious, organic harvest in season from the farm, delivered to one of five convenient pickup locations within the community.

The ASC offers a weekly pay-as-yougo option with a seasonal commitment for households with limited income or budgetary restraints. Members pay when they pick up, using cash, a credit/ debit card or SNAP Benefits which can be doubled again in 2016.

Rodale Institute’s 2016 ASC season begins around the beginning of June through mid-November. One share consists of one to two bags of fresh, colorful organic vegetables and herbs. Organic flowers, eggs, cider, apples and meats are available seasonally for an extra fee. A regular share (for a family of three to five) is $25/week or $750 for the season or a small share (for a family of one or two) is $15/week or $450 for the season

The ASC program is also the training grounds for future farmers, with an intensive, eight-month internship focused on learning every aspect of running a small organic grower’s business.

Location: 611 Siegfriedale Rd. Kutztown, PA. To sign up, call Cynthia James, ASC program manager, at 610-683-1439 or email [email protected]. For more information, visit RodaleInstitute.org. See ad page 19.