Vivian W. Kurutz is the wellness director of the Harlem Center for Healthy Living (HCHL).  She is also the founder of the New Song Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).  New Song CSA partners with local farms to bring fresh produce to West Harlem, while helping to support a farmer and his or her crop.

Q: How did you get involved with starting a CSA in West Harlem?

A: At a church meeting a few years back, I said there was nowhere to get healthy food.  The pastor told me, "Hey, you could start a co-op at the Triangle Building." I never pursued that because I was busy with my previous job. A few years later a member of New Song church introduced the church to the idea. So I got in touch with a young woman named Paula Lukats, who is the CSA manager at Just Food.  Paula met with me and she guided me in the process.  During the season, the farmers bring fresh fruits and vegetables to West Harlem for people who have paid to participate in the CSA.

Q: Why are CSAs important?

A: With a CSA, the whole point is food justice-to make food healthy and affordable-especially in places where there isn't much access to healthy food, like Harlem.  The other benefit is that it helps farmers to buy equipment, seeds, and pay their laborers up front-which are really important.  Otherwise, farmers go about seven months a year before they can make any money on their crops.  By getting involved in a CSA, you are financially helping the farmer bring you fresh and local vegetables and fruits that you may not be able to get otherwise. 

Q: How many people are involved in the CSA?  Are there plans to expand?

A: Currently, the CSA has 48 shares (shares represent the number of people/groups who have bought into the CSA).  We are partners with the Gonzales farm in Middletown, New York.  On Thursdays, we meet at New Song Community Church to pick up and distribute the vegetables brought by the farm. This year we are using subsidies so that more people can be included who could not otherwise afford the membership. The CSA is under the HCHL programming, and interested individuals should contact me, Vivian Kurutz, at (212) 222-3256 for more information. 

Read more from Vivian Kurutz by clicking on the links below:

• Promoting health in Harlem 
• Harlem Center for Healthy Living
• Keeping Harlem healthy
• New Song Community Corporation

Harlem Word is a series of interviews with community health experts written by HHPC and approved by our Health Advisory Board.