Community-Supported Agriculture Comes to Mendota Heights

Summer means fresh produce at the grocery store, at farmer’s markets and at … the chiropractor’s office?

This summer, Lifestyle Chiropractic in Mendota Heights will be acting as a pick-up site for members of a local community-supported agriculture (CSA) farm. Lifestyle is partnering with Farm of Plenty, a Randall, Minnesota farm that sells shares of its harvest each year.

“I’ve really been wanting to offer a CSA pick up for the last several years,” said Joel Fugleberg, a chiropractic doctor and owner of Lifestyle Chiropractic. “But the recent buzz of people interested in a provided the catalyst. This is a similar way to bring clean, healthy food into the area.”

Farm of Plenty’s crop share program follows a basic CSA model. Members can purchase a full share of the farm’s summer harvest for $400, resulting in thirteen weekly deliveries of fresh produce, each delivery enough produce for a family of four for a week. A half-share costs $225 for deliveries every other week. The members can then retrieve their deliveries one afternoon a week at Lifestyle Chiropractic.

One major advantage to buying through a CSA is the freshness of the produce. 

“You can buy organic produce at the grocery store, but it might have been sent all the way from Mexico,” explained Julie Rayhorn of Farm of Plenty. “When you buy from us, you are getting the fruits and vegetables the same day they were picked. Then, because it’s so fresh, a lot of it can last in your refrigerator for weeks.” 

Farm of Plenty follows organic guidelines when growing their food, using no chemicals in the growing process. They use heirloom crops, and reuse seeds year after year. The summer share includes a rotating combination of crops including vegetables from greens to sweet corn, and fruits from melons to berries.

“It’s local, and its sustainable,” Rayhorn said.

The benefits of fresh, chemical-free food appeal to Fugleberg. “Our practice is committed to helping people maximize their health, and giving them the tools to build a healthy lifestyle,” said Fugleberg. “Healthy eating is an essential part of this. We want to make it easier for families to stay healthy.”

Dozens of similar CSAs deliver throughout the metro area, but Farm of Plenty appears to be the only CSA planning deliveries to a location in Mendota Heights this summer. It’s also one of a handful of farms offering discounted food to customers who receive supplemental nutrition assistance through state programs.

“Traditionally, it has been an elitist thing to be able to eat organic produce,” Rayhorn said. “We accept EBT so low-income families can get the best food possible. We want to level the playing field.” 

As of press time, there are still CSA shares available for this summer’s deliveries at Lifestyle Chiropractic. For more information, call Farm of Plenty at 218-833-2367 or visit their website at www.farmofplenty.com.