Most people know that dressing up and eating Hamantaschen is customary on Purim. But a lesser known mitzvah to celebrate the day is to give gifts to the poor. Tuv Ha’aretz, Boulder’s interfaith CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program, donates shares of veggies to those in need, weekly, during the growing season. What better way to celebrate Purim and fulfill this mitzvah than to sign up for your weekly vegetables from Red Wagon Farm through Tuv Ha’aretz? You can pick up your veggies at the Boulder JCC or at Congregation Nevei Kodesh.

Ru Wing, who co-chairs the veggie donation process, takes the opportunity of Purim to reflect on her experience:

“It is such a joy for me to give Red Wagon Farm’s unpicked up CSA shares to those in need.  Rabbis, Ministers and other leaders have provided me with names of those who could really use assistance with food, including a couple of leaders/ teachers who give so much yet do not have much.  Sudanese girls who were brought to new lives here by local churches and synagogues are grateful recipients of the food.  They even know what to do with some of the more unusual foods like sunchokes and fava beans.  One woman with a large family makes all her food at once and always gives to others in need– a lovely paying forward!  Local wildlife endangered species volunteer workers happily receive partial shares for their generosity even though they have little themselves.  There is so much value both to the religious organizations and Red Wagon Farm for this direct giving.  Thank you so much, Red Wagon Farm for the beautiful vegetables you grow and the fact that you give us all more than any other local CSA does.”