Food Share Initiative With Fresh Produce Proposed In Greenwich: P&Z Docs

GREENWICH, CT — A food share initiative with fresh produce is being proposed in Greenwich, with a goal of strengthening food security for all residents and supporting Connecticut's farmers and food economy.

According to documents submitted to the Greenwich Planning & Zoning Department, the initiative is named Foodshed CSA Greenwich, an emerging program of The Foodshed Network (TFN) which is based in Greenwich.

Organizers are seeking a special permit to operate at North Greenwich Church, 606 Riversville Road.

"We serve as an educational and convening platform that uplifts food security initiatives while bridging communities throughout Fairfield County," a project narrative with submitted documents states.

TFN is a fiscally-sponsored organization of Third Sector New England Inc. (TSNE), a Massachusetts-based nonprofit that's listed as the applicant for the special permit request.

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, "a partnership between consumers and local farmers where members purchase a share of the farm's harvest in advance, typically before the growing season, in exchange for regular deliveries of fresh produce throughout the season."

Participants, regardless of income, would pre-order a seasonal subscription or weekly box through Foodshed CSA Greenwich's website portal, the project narrative says.

Once a week, Northwest CT Food Hub (NCFH) would deliver pre-assembled boxes in a refrigerated van. NCFH was founded in 2017 to support regional farmers.

A drive-through pickup location would be set up at the North Greenwich Congregational Church lower parking lot off of John Street once per week, where residents can pick up their food during a three-hour window, according to the project narrative.

Organizers expect 25 subscribers per week, with the initiative operating eight months out of the year, submitted documents outline.

Unclaimed food boxes would be donated to Neighbor to Neighbor and other food security assistance programs, the project narrative says. Additionally, subscribers will have an option to purchase an extra box or subscription for those in the community who are food insecure.

In the project narrative, Foodshed CSA Greenwich lists several objectives it hopes to achieve through the initiative, such as:

• Making local food accessible to every Greenwich resident, including low income individuals and families.
• Building relationships and connections between Connecticut farmers and Greenwich residents.
• Raising awareness around Connecticut's local food economy.
• Providing a reliable market for Connecticut farmers.
• Establishing connectivity between community partners in the Greenwich area
• Raising revenue for TFN.

The special permit request has not yet been scheduled to go before the Greenwich Planning and Zoning Commission.

For more information, visit The Foodshed Network's website.