Aliff Acres Photos by Seales Photography
“When you get a tomato from California it was picked green, gassed, and had to travel 2,000 miles to get here,” said Thomas Aliff. “Not only are you missing out on the full flavor, but you lose out on the nutritional value. We can grow so much in the Pensacola area with the climate we have, so if you keep by the seasons, you can eat well all year long even in the winter months. And you’re supporting local; that’s a big thing. You realize the people around you—these are your neighbors, your friends, and you want to support them.” Aliff Acres is a family-owned and operated small farm of five acres located about 70 miles outside of Pensacola in Walnut Hill, Fla. Wendy and Thomas Aliff started the Aliff Acres CSA in 2014 with the help of their three sons: Thomas Jr., Jared and Adam. Wendy also teaches at a oneroom schoolhouse on a local, organic poultry farm called Green Acres. All of the Aliffs work hard to provide quality, healthy produce to locals that is free of pesticides and herbicides. To become a member, the Aliffs ask for a 10-week subscription,
which means you’ll commit to buying 10 weeks worth of CSA boxes. From flowers to free-range eggs, homemade breads and baked goods, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the goodies you find in your CSA basket. The Aliffs use non-GMO seeds and natural fertilizers to keep all their products as close to organic as possible. As an added bonus, membership also comes with access to a blog where there are updates on what the Aliffs are growing, CSA information, recipes, gardening tips, and more.
Drop-off location: Old Thyme Remedies, 2475 E. 9 Mile Rd. Cost: $30 per box ($25 for box, $5 delivery) Season: Year-round Contact: aliffacres@yahoo.com * 850-777-4668 * facebook.com/ AliffAcres
Ever’man Cooperative Where/When: 315 W. Garden St., Mon-Sat. 7 am – 9 pm, Sun. 9 am – 8 pm Cost: (Annual Membership fees) $12 per household, $5 for seniors 65+ info@everman.org * 850-438-0402 * everman.org
“Local food travels a shorter distance reducing our carbon footprint, and local food is picked at its peak of freshness so it tastes delicious and keeps you healthy,” said William Rolfs, general manager at Ever’man. “We support local and regional family-owned farms, as well as independent farms and cooperatives across the USA producing items such as honey, blueberries, herbs and other produce to milk, chicken, grass-fed beef and sustainable seafood.” Ever’man Cooperative Grocery & Cafe was established in 1973 as a local not-for-profit community natural food grocery in 1973. Today, Ever’man operates as a local food cooperative with a strong economic impact on the Pensacola community through its support of local food systems, sustainable foods, and environment stewardship. Ever’man has over 10,000 members and it has the region’s largest selection of local, natural and organic products. In addition to being a natural food grocery, meals are served daily in the Ever’man cafe, where you can choose from buffet-style meals or ready-to-heat prepared foods. Thanks to Ever’man, the community will gain education on health, nutrition and environmental issues along with access to healthy, natural foods and products at the lowest possible price. Ever’man also offers itself as an example of green 36
pensacolamagazine.com
October 2015
business practices and supports response, local agriculture and small businesses. The seven cooperative principles Ever’man adheres to are as follows: voluntary and open membership, democratic member control, member economic participation, autonomy and independence, education and training, cooperation among cooperatives, and concern for the community. On that note, Ever’man is proud to be the first cooperative in the area to roll out a Charity Eco-Friendly Bag Program, which makes it easy for members and customers to contribute to community charities. For every eco-friendly bag purchased, Ever’man will donate five cents to a charity of the shopper’s choice. If you’re interested in joining the Ever’man community, ask to complete a membership agreement at the Customer Service desk.