Community Food at Hillside

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Global numbers range for the greenhouse gas emissions caused by agriculture from 9% to 24%. Wherever the true number lies, the reality is that there is quite a lot of work to be done and endless opportunities to create more sustainable models of food production and consumption. This is why food is integral to Hillside and our mission to develop sustainable housing. 

Our approach to the creation of a neighborhood-scale sustainable food system has evolved over the years of planning. We have moved from having intentions of many high-production spaces onsite to an edible perennial-based system in the landscape - encouraging foraging, food season awareness, and landscape interaction. 

The central piece of the food at Hillside is the community-wide CSA. CSA stands for community-supported agriculture. When you become a member of a CSA, you are purchasing a "share" of a farm where you will pick up a box of super-fresh produce every week throughout the growing season. This model not only allows for a farmer to receive money at the start of the season when expenses are the highest and income is the lowest, but it also shares some of the risk (crop loss, diseases, pests) with the consumer. At Hillside, every resident is a member of the CSA. We are partnering with a local farm to grow the produce which we will pick up every week and have set up at the Community Building for residents. 

Partnering with a local farm not only makes sense sustainably by lowering food miles, ensuring quality growing methods, and improving seasonal eating, but it also supports our larger community food system. Along with the Hillside CSA and edible landscape, residents will also have access to resources and space to have their own outdoor gardens.

We are confident and excited to include food as part of our sustainable foundation at Hillside and can't wait to see what will grow of it. 

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Susan MacPhee

Susan MacPhee is a Squarespace Circle member and professional partner who has come full circle in her web design journey—finding that the most powerful solutions often come from focused expertise. Over the last 15+ years, Principal Susan MacPhee has stayed on the cutting edge, creating websites and partnering with clientele, brand designers, front-end developers, and marketing colleagues to launch fresh new sites that are easy for clients to control and manage.

As part of the Squarespace Circle community, Susan brings insider knowledge and advanced capabilities to every client project. She takes a no-code, content-first approach to tackle complex data relations and tailor websites that stand out from their peers. Her work circles back to what matters most: empowering clients with beautiful, functional sites they can confidently manage themselves.