A Note from (and for) Shelby

My dear Tucson CSA community,

It is with a heavy heart that I am resigning from my position as co-director of Tucson CSA. This decision did not come lightly or easily; however, I need to prioritize my wellbeing and personal time, which have become secondary to my work. Of course, stepping away is incredibly difficult because of all the wonderful experiences I have had with you, my CSA Community. 

It has been an honor to work for you all over the last three years. Week after week, I have loved getting to know and care about you; watching your children (humans and animals alike) grow and blossom; learning about your favorite recipes; and so, so much more. The connection and community that happen in our courtyard is nothing short of magical, and I will hold that good feeling inside of me for the rest of my days. I am forever grateful to you for helping to make that space so special, not only for me but for everybody who passes through.

My first real introduction to the local food movement came when I joined Tucson CSA in 2015. I was newly out of college, in search of community, and desperate for food-adjacent work. I had been to a few farmers’ markets, but it wasn’t until I joined Tucson CSA that I became deeply connected to local agriculture and the community that exists around it. More than six years later, largely in thanks to Tucson CSA, I have experienced the passion, resilience, resistance, and strength that exist in our local food system. I believe in it so deeply that I will continue to work toward food access, sovereignty, and justice in our greater Tucson community long into the future. 

Please know that I won’t be far, and that you can reach out to me via my personal email (shelbytson@gmail.com) anytime. I hope to see you around soon.

In community,

Shelby

A Note of Gratitude

Shelby stepped in to help run the CSA when our founder, Philippe Waterinckx, had to step aside because of an illness in 2018. Over the past three years her welcoming smile has been a fixture at the CSA. She has been there for members and volunteers alike to help celebrate a milestone or lend a sympathetic ear. Over the past year and a half she worked to help make the CSA space safe during the pandemic and prioritized experimenting with online modes of communication to help keep the community aspect of the CSA alive during social distancing. We will all be sad to see her leave her role as co-director and want to extend a heartfelt thanks for her numerous contributions to the CSA community and most of all for the care and compassion she has shown us.

Tucson CSA members will still have the opportunity to explore some of the resources Shelby developed for the community. You can check out her writing, photos and videos on the social media links and in our newsletter archive on our website. Earlier this year, Shelby coordinated and led the Food Justice Book Club, meeting with members to discuss monthly readings. To make those books available for members and to catalog our expanding collection Shelby created The Food Literature Lending Library. You can find out more about the library, plus discussion questions about the book club selection under the Resources tab. The library offers a variety of cookbooks for recipe inspiration as well as reading material on the culinary, social and political aspects of food, including the books from this year’s book club. 

We are so very grateful for all of Shelby’s wonderful contributions and we hope you will join us in forever considering her a part of our Tucson CSA community. 

Sara and Daniela, Co-Directors