Red Barn Farms launches Food Club

In an effort to better prepare for the upcoming harvest, the Red Barn Farms is currently in the process of launching its 2012 Food Club.

The farm, which is currently run by the Holton family, had the goal of creating a food club from the very beginning. Community members now have the opportunity to choose a "club" of their choice and pre-pay for all of their food for a year.

"The CSA concept has been around for a long time," explained Tom Holton. "We knew from the beginning that we wanted to go this direction but needed to build our customer base and prove the quality of our products."

The CSA concept, also known as Community Supported Agriculture, has been around since the 1980s. It was the many benefits received from this concept, such as quality and price savings that drew the Holton family to make the decision.

"In an effort to build a lifelong relationship with people who care about where their food comes from, we have decided to offer our version of a CSA," said Holton. "The infusion of money allows us to pay upfront for all of our seeds and feed, while providing you with a year's worth of harvest."

The Food Club will have several options such as a chicken club, egg club, poultry club, meat lovers, vegetable club and several others. Prices range from $125 for the Egg Club to $1,300 for the Family Club, which includes enough meat, eggs and vegetables for an entire year to feed a family. The Food Club members will sign up for the one club they would like to participate in, and depending on the club, they will receive products weekly or monthly.

The Food Club will also be offering a Turkey Club, which allows the community to prepay for their Thanksgiving turkey, which will be a guaranteed 15-20 pounds.

"The Food Club members invest in our farm, which supports my family," said Holton. "Food Club members will get the best selection of our products. The best vegetables will be set aside for them, their ground beef will be reserved and their eggs will be waiting on them."

Holton stresses that although Food Club members will receive a quality selection, that does not mean those who do not participate will be getting a worse product.

"Obviously quality is our highest priority," explained Holton. "It's not like we are selling seconds to everyone else, but Food Club members will simply get the best, the most and the best prices."

Food Club members will also receive a 15 percent discount throughout the year.

All produce is raised organically without the use of any chemicals. The Holton family will be putting in over 60 raised beds this spring, which will include a wide selection of vegetables, fruits, herbs and cut-flowers.

It is the goal of the Red Barn Farm to eventually only cater to Food Club Members, to have a closed-network of people supporting the farm, having one large community committed to each other.

The Red Barn Farm will still be offering its products at the farm as well as the local farmers market for those not interested in signing up for the Food Club.

For more information or to sign up for the Food Club visit www.redbarnfamily.com. Applications are due by April 15.