Buy Your Fruits and Vegetables a New Way

Last Updated on Friday, 29 September 2017 18:11

Stone Church Acres in Finleyville Offers Organic Produce and CSA Program
By Ken Askew

Consumers nowadays are more particular about where their fruits and vegetables come from. If you are one of them, you should check out Stone Church Acres, near Finleyville.

John and Diane Varner (owners) inside the store with their baskets

On a 30-acre farm, the Varner family grows and sells a huge variety of fresh food. Their practices involve using organic methods, integrated pest management, natural composted fertilizers, and cover crops.

Their crops include lettuce, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, sweet peppers, hot peppers, kale, arugula, greens, spinach, bok choy, herbs, sweet corn, kohlrabi, melons, strawberries, and blueberries—and that is only half the selection!

In addition, their apple orchard in Tarentum produces a wide range of apples, including Honeycrisp, Jersey Mack, Wealthy, Fuji, McIntosh, Gala, Stayman, Nittany, Winesap, and Cortland—and again – that is a portion of what they offer!

You can visit the farm and select your own fruits and vegetables, or you can join their community supported agriculture (CSA) program for a $50 deposit. The CSA provides a selection of fruits and vegetables once a week from June 10 through October 21. They fill a basket with fresh ripe food that is in season, and you just pick it up. Pick-ups are done Fridays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The CSA idea started five years ago, and the membership has grown steadily each year through word-of-mouth.

Cost of the CSA per year is $600 for a 20-week full share, $345 for a 20-week half share, or $215 for a 10-week half share (same type of product, but half as much). Each basket contains 6 to 10 fruits, vegetables, and herbs, along with recipes. The membership entitles you to a 20% discount on additional products you may buy at the store.

For more information, visit www.stonechurchacres.com, email contactus@stonechurchacres.com, call 724-255-9129, or stop by at 318 Stone Church Road, Finleyville.

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