As part of Ashforth’s ongoing sustainability efforts, the company is marking its fourth year offering a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Ashforth partners with Shelton, CT based, Stone Gardens Farm to offer its Farm Share at Work program at its owned properties in CT during the summer and fall growing seasons.
For the 2017 summer season beginning in June, 33 participants are signed up. In 2016, Ashforth expanded the Farm Shares at Work program to include Greenwich Plaza and increased participation at 707 Summer Street and 3001 Stamford Square. 63 participants received weekly shares of hand-packed boxes full of fresh farm products during the summer and fall seasons.
Tenants can sign up for either a full or half share during the summer and fall seasons. The weekly share consists of hand packed boxes full of fresh farm products. Delivery of the farm shares are made once a week directly to the buildings for each participants to pick-up. In addition to the farm share, participants receive a weekly newsletter directly from the farm consisting of description of foods, recipes and useful tips. Feedback on the program has been positive according to Andrew Martinez, who is the Marketing Project Manager of The Ashforth Company and coordinates the program.
“Participating in the farm share helps me to purchase fresh, local and in-season produce. The convenience makes grocery shopping less of a chore,” said Michele Turner, Staff Accountant for Ashforth’s management services division and seven-time farm share participant.
Benefits in purchasing vegetables directly from a farm include: fresher food, support of local businesses, less environmental impact, promotes food safety, and preserves green space & farmland.
