If you are kind and tolerant, enjoy fresh food, and value community, you’ll love Edible Earth Farm. Of course, you must live in the Pittsburgh area to join its CSA; if you do, you won’t be disappointed! This beautiful organic farm in Sandy Lake, PA, offers locals a year-round, diverse, and fully customizable CSA program. April and Johnny Parker are at the helm of this wonderful initiative; they grew up in farming communities and are strong proponents of local food systems. April founded the farm in 2010 and started her venture on five acres in Tionesta, PA. Johnny joined the farm full-time a year later, and they worked on expanding together until they had no choice but to move to where they are now, an expansive 90-acre property in Sandy Lake.
Johnny grew up working on an organic farm, and April studied herbalism and aromatherapy. They combine their knowledge and passion for nutritious food and grow various seasonal crops. CSA members can customize their veg baskets to include culinary herbs, salad greens, radishes, tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, squash, peppers, potatoes, and so much more, depending on the availability and time of year. Edible Earth Farm also produces ginger, turmeric, spices, pasture-raised pigs, chickens, and beef. It’s a one-stop shop for all of your organic grocery needs. A low annual fee includes a year of free home delivery with no obligation to buy, making it unique to Western Pennsylvania.
Edible Earth Farm operates on four founding principles: quality, choice, affordability, and innovation. Much attention is given to harvesting and holding; most crops are harvested within a few days of delivery, guaranteeing their quality, nutritional value, and flavor. The farm operates like a virtual farmer’s market, allowing members to choose what’s in their baskets during the Main Season CSA. This concept was entirely new to Pittsburgh when Edible Earth Farm introduced it. The program is Pittsburgh’s most diverse and affordable food delivery service, allowing people from all walks of life to enjoy fresh, organic food. Finally, April and Johnny seek to improve consumer services and organic farming techniques. They always look for innovative ways to reduce their carbon footprint and increase sustainability.
In addition to having access to organic food, purchasing a CSA allows members to help those in need. Edible Earth Farm is active in feeding communities by donating to pantries, food banks, and hungry families in Western PA. Every ordering period raises money for various causes, such as local charities, animal shelters, spay and neuter programs, or farm projects. The CSA members make these acts of kindness possible.
