Organics Today Farm / East Islip, NY
Organics Today Farm is a small organic farm located in East Islip, Long Island that grows non-GMO, organic produce. In addition to their fresh produce, they also offer raw honey from their honey bees, ready-to-plant vegetable seedlings, clean meat and poultry, fresh baked pies, cold press extra virgin olive oil from Sicily, fresh baked bread, homemade jarred and canned goods (e.g. jelly and jam, apple butter, crushed tomatoes, rubs, marinades), Amish cow and goat milk, Amish butter, and other organic food products as well as non-food products that the owner purchases from small farms and companies around the country. Products can be purchased from the farm stand, which is open every day, 9 A.M.-6 P.M. from March 15thto Thanksgiving Eve. They also participate in a farmer’s market on the last Sunday of every month. All produce is available to restaurants at wholesale prices. Some of the produce is grown on the farm in East Islip, and some comes from a larger farm further east on Long Island. The fresh organic eggs come from local chicken farms where the chickens are always fed correctly, treated well, and are free range.
Customers can sign up for the community supported agriculture (CSA) program that begins sometime in May (depends on the weather) and ends the first week of October. The cost is $550, which comes out to about $22 per week, or $500 plus 24 hours of volunteer work (approximately 1.5 hours per week) at the East Islip farm, which brings the down to about $20 per week. Each week participating members pick up a large box of in-season produce on a day and time that is most convenient to them.
While I was there, I decided to buy some kale, strawberries, and eggs to see if their products live up to what they’re saying and advertising. It was definitely more expensive than the supermarket, so for anyone who wants to get a lot of their produce from the farm, participating in the CSA program really makes sense. Something the owner did that I thought was really cool was that he puts the strawberries out in regular plastic containers, but he gives them to you in a small paper bag and then reuses the plastic container again, which he said he does to help ensure that they create as little waste as possible. The kale and strawberries were wonderful, so fresh and full of flavor. I only got 5 strawberries and I shared them with my mom, and afterwards we wanted more, so we cut up the strawberries we had gotten from Costco and we couldn’t even eat them because the other ones were so much better.
Sustainable agriculture is, “the production of food fiber, or other plant or animal products using farming techniques that protect the environment, public health, human communities, and animal welfare.” I would say, based on what I saw at the farm and what I learned from speaking to the owner and exploring their website, that this farm is an excellent example of sustainable agriculture. The food is produced without relying on toxic chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or genetically modified seeds. I did not find any of their practices to be degrading to the soil, water, or other natural resources. They also only grow produce when it is seasonally appropriate. Additionally, they only purchase products from other sustainable farms, and any foods purchased from other companies (such as the salad dressings he gets from California) are made from ingredients that came from sustainable farms. They are also extremely passionate about getting the community involved in the farm by offering a wide variety of activities. These include pumpkin picking, cooking classes and tastings, bee keeping classes, hay rides, field trips, gardening classes, and volunteer/community service opportunities. A non-evidence-based reason I think this farm is such a good example of sustainable agriculture, and why it will continue to be one, is because the owner is Italian, and Italian’s know the secrets of growing fresh, healthful produce without the use of products that are harmful to the consumer or the environment.
I can’t think of any ways in which I would improve their farming habits, but I would maybe lower the prices because they are pretty expensive. However, they are surrounded by wealthier towns and they probably do that to get more people to participate in the CSA program.
The following are some pictures I took while at the farm:
CRDN 4.6:Propose and use procedures as appropriate to the practice setting to promote sustainability, reduce waste and protect the environment
