Oregon Microenterprise Network

Lee Warnecke began his VISTA year at the Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO) with the charge of creating and implementing a business development program to increase economic development opportunities for small farmers while also increasing access to fresh, local produce for Springfield’s low-income population through the Springfield Farmer’s Market (SFM). The market is one aspect of NEDCO’s larger mission to collaboratively build human and capital assets to strengthen neighborhoods and broaden participation in community ownership and governance.  The SFM aims to increase the economic viability of local farmers, ascertain improved food security for the downtown Springfield area, and contribute to long-term revitalization of downtown Springfield.

During his work with the market, Lee observed that SNAP users didn’t have an easy way to purchase CSA boxes (fresh fruits and vegetables straight from the farm) because the programs typically require a large up-front purchase for the entire season to give farmers operating capital. This hurdle was crossed with the start of the 2010 market when the SFM created a partnership with a farm from the SFM 2009 market to create a joint CSA. Sarah Hucka, farmer and co-owner of Circle h Farm, no longer had the product or time to sustain a booth at the market but still wanted to be involved. Lee researched ways to increase SNAP transactions at the market through CSA purchases and contacted a farm in Washington with a CSA for low income families. He based NEDCO’s CSA on this model, yet because Circle h did not have a Point of Sale (POS) machine to accept SNAP benefits NEDCO’s market became the middle man, processing the financial end of the transaction. This CSA was a perfect fit for Sarah and Circle h Farm because she wanted to focus on CSA farming and reduce her farmers’ market work.  This was a great fit for NEDCO because it meant they could increase SNAP transactions at the market and make eating fresh local foods more accessible to low-income families and individuals.

The difference between this CSA and a traditional CSA is that transactions take place weekly instead of customers making the entire payment in advance. Participants sign an agreement stating that they will be reliable and pick up their box and allocate a necessary amount of benefits on their card to pay weekly for 15 weeks. In NEDCO’s first season the CSA fed three families and four single member household, increasing SNAP transactions at the market and resulting in $1,575 in additional income for Circle h Farm.

Lee’s VISTA year with the Oregon Asset Building Corps has come to an end, but you will still be able to find him at the Friday markets as a staff member of NEDCO.  To learn more about the NEDCO and the Springfield Farmers’ Market, visit http://www.nedcocdc.org/.

NEDCO Executive Director, Claire Sequin, and OABC VISTA, Lee Warnecke, with the season's first CSA share.