FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2008

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Sunnyvale, CA — Full Circle Farm’s 11-acres is managed by local nonprofit Sustainable Community Gardens and owned by Santa Clara Unified School District. This groundbreaking partnership, now just over a year old, was forged to create the new sustainable farm. As a unique educational space for district students, the farm will soon bring it’s fresh, healthy food to district cafeterias and outdoor education to both students and community. After a year of concentrated efforts from both staff and community volunteers, the farm’s very first harvest has just come out of the ground.

“What can I say? This is as local as it gets!” said Cyrus Fahkari, a neighbor who walked to the farmstand’s opening on Monday with his wife Jesse to buy farm-fresh, pesticide-free zucchini and basil, “it’s the best thing I can feed my family, and it’s something I can do to support my community.”

Apparently the community couldn’t agree more. Full Circle Farm launched its neighborhood farmstand on Monday June 21st, and the response has been tremendous. The farmstand – a makeshift collection of tables and tents adorned with hand-drawn signs and baskets overflowing with heirloom varieties of squash, cucumbers, and basil not found grocery stores – is now open weeknights from 5pm-8pm, and is run entirely by volunteers including the nonprofit’s board of directors. “It’s great to be out here with the community, sharing our bounty, making friends. This the whole reason for this place.” Said board member Josh Salans.

Between 30 and 35 customers dropped by, mostly families coming on foot or bicycle, and the farm made it’s first $105 in produce sales. In the next couple of weeks huge numbers of insanely fresh tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, tomatillos, and melons will start rolling out, and that’s when the neighborhood farm will start its first season of community supported agriculture, commonly know as a CSA program.

“CSA shares give the community the chance buy more than just produce – it’s a pride of place and ownership. It brings the farm’s seasonal rhythms into member’s kitchens, and into their family’s lives.” Said Sarah Weiderkehr, Full Circle’s Farm Manager, pictured here with the farm’s first zucchini.

The farm’s first CSA season begins August 6th. For $300, anyone can buy a three-month CSA share, and the farm is also offering a limited number of low-cost shares and work-exchange opportunities to community members. Each Wednesday between 5-8pm, CSA members pick up their own specially prepared basket of produce. The CSA pickup also coincides with the farm’s volunteer night, so that members have the chance to help out on the farm and enjoy a potluck with their neighbors when they drop by.

Only 40 shares are available in Full Circle Farm’s first season. Anyone interested in becoming a CSA member can contact CSA Coordinator Amie Frish at amie@fullcirclesunnyvale.org.

Next the farm gears up for it’s newest crop – 360 sixth graders who will pilot the farm’s first educational programs in the Fall.