2024 memberships sold out!

HAVE QUESTIONS? WE HAVE ANSWERS.

WHAT IS A CSA?

Community Supported Agriculture programs are a convenient and affordable way to access local produce and bypass the grocery stores. The concept is simple; You subscribe to the farm by paying for a “share” at the beginning of the season providing the necessary cash when farmers need it most to buy seeds and supplies. Then the farm grows a wide variety of vegetables throughout the growing season and when the crops are ready for harvest the farmer provides the supporting members with weekly shares of fresh vegetables picked ripe and delivered promptly to a pick-up location near you.

It is similar to a co-op in the sense that it is a communal effort, but we do all the manual labour! It is a program aimed at keeping small, local farms... well, small and local. All the while supporting the surrounding community with fresh organically grown vegetables that are picked in due season.

HAVE QUESTIONS? WE HAVE ANSWERS.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

YOUR ROLE

As a member you pay upfront for the season. The CSA program costs $475 for a small share and $595 for a regular share. By paying in full, this gives the farmer an opportunity to invest in seed and supplies needed for the start-up. In return we commit to providing you with a weekly bag of fresh seasonal vegetables all season long! (Please note: Limited shares are available and payment secures your spot in the program. The deadline for signups is June 1, however the program usually fills up by May).

As a part of the CSA community you also share in the risk that each farmer faces every season...crop failure. Unfortunately there's no telling what the coming year will bring, and sometimes factors are outside of our control. But with skillful preparation and equipment we are confident that all our customers will be more than satisfied.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

OUR ROLE

We do the hard work, we're farmers after all! We commit to planting, growing, maintaining, and harvesting the crops, while providing you with a weekly bag of the bounty. We do our utmost to ensure that you receive a nice variety and the best of the best. It is important to us that our customers know their farmers and how we grow so you are able to know and trust where your food comes from.

WHAT KIND OF PERSON PARTICIPATES IN A COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA) PROGRAM?

Usually the type of person that participates in a CSA program is one who is adventurous and willing to try different foods, eats fresh & seasonally, enjoys cooking meals from scratch as opposed to pre-made meals, and wants to purchase their foodstuffs locally from a farm that uses sustainable farming methods.

HOW MANY PEOPLE DOES A CSA SHARE FEED?

That’s always a tricky question, because every person has different diets and eating habits. A large share is designed to provide a week’s worth of veggies for a family of four or two veggie lovers. A small share is designed for a single veggie lover or a family of two who enjoy salads for lunch and carrot sticks and tomato sandwiches for snacks.

As the produce contained within the bags is freshly picked from the fields using no spraying methods, it is crucial that upon receiving your bag you set aside time to wash, and properly store the produce to prevent spoiling. We do provide tips and tricks for storage, as well as some great recipes though our CSA weekly emails.

WHAT WILL BE IN MY SHARE BOXES?

Generally speaking there are 5-9 items per week in the full size shares. As we progress through the 14 weeks this can change - boxes may be lighter in early summer compared to the fall harvest, and weather will always play a factor. No matter how many items, we always ensure you get you the full value of your share over the course of the season.

Our CSA works out to roughly $33/week for the small share and $42/week for the regular and on a good year, you can expect to receive as much or more vegetables than you could buy for the same price at a grocery store. However, CSA’s include sharing the risk inherent in food production, so if one or more of our crops are not doing well, this will be reflected in the vegetables you receive.

In addition, unfortunately due to the high volume of requests and the inherit time consuming work involved, we can no longer offer customization/substitutions. If there is a veggie in your bag that you are not familiar with, we suggest giving it a try anyway. Along with the recipes we send you, there are always so many other recipes on the internet! Many of our members love this part of the program – trying something they wouldn’t typically buy.

If you absolutely unequivocally hate a certain veggie, perhaps sharing it with a friend or family member would be nice. Everyone loves free food!

Here are a number of photos of the full size share. A half share generally contains just over half the size or variety.

Here is a photo of an early season bag in early July. The first bags may have fewer items but most people are still excited to get them since they contain the first produce of the season. Bok choi, summer turnip, lettuce, cucumber, sunflower shoots, fresh mint and sweet rhubarb.

Another mid July bag of green leafy goodness! Cucumber, sweet and hot peppers from the greenhouse, microgreens, lettuce, chard, basil, and kale. Summer salads full of flavor!

This is a late July Bag. A greater assortment of veggies are ready by this time of year. Early root crops such as spring turnip and kohlrabi grace the bags while cucumbers, peppers, leafy greens and fresh herbs are plentiful.

This is an August bag. The first crop of our carrots are so sweet! Beans, sugar snap peas, beets, early cabbage and potato, garlic, tomatoes, summer squash and zucchini are in full glory.

Another August bag to show off the bounty this month usually brings! Broccoli, cauliflower, sweet summer cabbage, swiss chard, kale, kohlrabi, romaine, red cabbage, basil, zucchini and cucumber.

September bags are also a favourite. Beets, turnip, potato, beans, mid season squash, cabbage, kale, romaine, kohlrabi and cucumber from the greenhouse.

Another September beauty. The last of the sugar snap peas and fresh herbs, the first of our colored carrots, fall squash, kohlrabi, leafy greens, potato, cabbage, cucumber and beans.

Here's a typical October bag. Our greenhouse crops are finishing up by now so we enjoy the last of our red juicy tomatoes, peppers and beans until next year. Potato, brussels, carrots, beets, greens and winter squash remind us that fall is here!

Last but not least the last bags of the season normally consist of more root crops; carrot, potato, beet, garlic and onions. Winter squash, green tomato, herbs and a jar of farm fresh honey rounds out the season .

ARE YOU CERTIFIED ORGANIC?

No, not technically. There is an annual fee for organic certification that we feel is unnecessary, and direct marketing allows our customers to ask us about our growing practices or visit the farm themselves. Although we follow organic principles our farming practices are driven by a philosophy of working with nature rather than regulatory guidelines and farming sustainability. At this point, we feel that our customers trust that we are doing as we say.

Here is a little glimpse of how we farm;

We don’t use any chemicals, which disrupt the soil food web, kill beneficial insects and make the product less healthy for the consumer.

Instead of herbicides, our weed management system is either done by hand or with a flame or a mechanical weeder.

Rather then using harmful fertilizers, we use organic matter compost on our fields. Most of what we use to build our soil health is cover crops and compost that is simply the leftovers of our harvest that can’t keep, aged manures, leaves, fish offal and kelp.

We love to grow flowers on the farm to increase biodiversity, attract beneficial insects and help feed the bees!

We use crop rotation and companion planting to deter pests and encourage maximum growth.

We try to keep tilling to a minimum. Tillage damages soil structure and harms earthworms and microorganisms beneath the soil surface.

Floating row covers are used to protect crops particularly vulnerable to insect damage. These covers allows light and water to reach the plants while keeping out the bugs and critters that want to snack on our veggies.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I WILL BE AWAY FOR A WEEK?

No problem! Just be sure to let us know ahead of time either when you come to pick up the week before or by e-mail. We will put your share on vacation for that week and we can either split the value of that skipped bag over the course of the remaining weeks, or you can have a double bag either prior to or when you come back. Please note that we are only able to offer ONE week vacation. If you need to skip more than that we suggest you have a friend or relative pick up your share. After all, who doesn’t love free, local, fresh veggies?!

WHERE ARE THE PICKUP LOCATIONS?

St. John’s - Tuesdays 4:30-6:30

Holyrood - Tuesdays 1-6

Paradise - Tuesdays 2-6

Logy Bay - Tuesdays 3-6

Bay Roberts – Saturdays 11-5

*Exact times will be confirmed prior to the start of the program*

WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM NOT ABLE TO MAKE A PICKUP?

Your bag can be left at the self serve locations until noon the following day. (We do not have the option for next day pickup at the main St.Johns location) We also suggest you have a friend or relative pick up your share for you - what a great way to introduce the CSA concept to others! If bags are not picked up by noon the following day or no one can pick up your share for you, we have a relationship with a local soup kitchen where we can donate your share. They are extremely appreciative of all the wonderful fresh produce they have received through member donations like this.

How do i know if a CSA is right for me?

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, if you believe in fresh, local produce and want to get to know your farmer and where your food comes from, you'll experience fresh food on a whole new level.

What’s the difference between joining a CSA and shopping at the farm market? Which choice is right for me?

These are great questions to ask. If you're considering joining a CSA program these are the questions you should be asking. In reality, a CSA program is not a good fit for everyone, and you shouldn’t feel bad if it’s a commitment you can't make.

Take a few minutes to read through the following questions, keep track of your answers, and see what unfolds. Joining a CSA program is a commitment, taking a few minutes to ponder now will help you decide what is best for you and your family.

1. Is a relationship with your local farmer important to you? Do you want to support a local farm?

CSA members want to be able to build a rapport with the person that feeds them. Creating a lasting connection with a local farmer is important. Knowing you're doing your part to support a local farm can be very rewarding. A CSA share is a great addition to your routine, and it allows you to access locally grown, great-tasting food and to know the farmers whose livelihood relies on your support.

By joining a CSA program you are committing to a farm through the entire season, through thick and thin. Rooted in this arrangement is the understanding that farming has great rewards and great risks. Mother Nature is in control on the farm, and she may send us beautiful weather one day and monsoon the next. This could lead to certain crops not showing up in your share that season. On the other hand, we can be experiencing bumber crops and you'll get an abundance of other veggies.

What are your thoughts?

Yes, I care about having a connection with the farmer and the land.
No, it doesn't really matter to me.

2. Do you value having high-quality fresh produce in your fridge that are

bursting with flavor?

If you're a potential CSA customer, then you know, taste matters. An important aspect shared by our long-time CSA members. Food that tastes the way it should because it was grown with love and care, picked at the peak of freshness and brought directly to you from the field. No middle person.

If you love cooking with fresh ingredients, and value taste above all else in the kitchen, then you will LOVE being a CSA member. Our CSA is all about providing you with high-quality, fresh and tasty produce from our fields. We want to make your home dining experience an exceptional one. You're paying for taste and quality when you join a CSA program. If you're looking for basic ingredients at the lowest price, so you can make a basic salad, CSA is not for you.

How much does taste matter to you?

Yes, 100% taste matters to me.
No, taste doesn't matter as much as dollar value does.

3. Are you inclined to try new foods?

A CSA share will push you to try new foods and explore variety in the kitchen. You will discover vegetables you love and some you might come to love over time.

Part of the CSA experience is being exposed to vegetables you may have never seen before. We may put some interesting things in your CSA shares, but we will also teach you how to use them in the kitchen. This is part of a bigger picture of elevating food diversity and teaching our communities (and our kids) how to eat seasonally.

How do you feel about trying new vegetables?

Yes, I love it.
Not sure whether I'm into it.

4. Do you need control in your menu planning?

CSA members learn to be flexible with their weekly menus. All the shares are the same, we don't have the means or the people power to allow members to choose what goes into their share. During the season, we send out an email every week to tell you what you will find in that week's share. We also share with you a recipe and a little bit about what's going on at the farm. We do our best to help you get the most out of your share and provide a little assistance in menu planning.

Are you willing to give up some control over what vegetables you get each week? Or do you need to live by your plan? If you really want to stick with your plan, you might be better off buying exactly what you need from our market. A CSA program works best for members who see their kitchen as a creative space and our vegetables are at the center of their creativity.

How flexible do you feel when it comes to meal planning?

Yes, I can go with the flow and let my creativity shine in the kitchen.
No, I need to stick to my plan.

5. Are you willing to work at eating the CSA way?

It can take some time to see the results of a CSA program. It can take a season or two to really master making the most of your share. You may waste some food early on, as you go through the learning curve.

Come into the CSA experience with an open mind and be ready for an adventure. Forgive yourself if you fail to eat the whole share at first, especially if you're new to a CSA program.

There will come a time when you start your week thinking you're going to be a rock star chef and maximize your CSA share, then real life sets in, and you find yourself standing by the fridge eating raw cauliflower and hummus. At times, it can feel like you're failing at your goal to change the way you eat, it's important to remember: eating more vegetables, even if it's with hummus, you're still winning. Some vegetables may rot in your fridge on a particularly busy week, but that's okay. Believe it or not, this happens to farmers too. Developing a new habit takes time and patience. Set realistic goals for your first season and work your way up. We're here to help with tips and tricks and recipes every week of the season.

Are you ready to do the work?

Yes, I'm IN for the whole CSA journey.
No, I'm not quite sure if this is my style.

6. Are you looking for a "deal"? Are you comparing CSA prices to the grocery

store?

Members who fully embrace the CSA model don't look for a "deal" in their membership. They also don't compare their CSA experience to the prices at the grocery store.

It is positively okay to ask how much the shares cost and weigh the pros and cons. Our vegetables have added value because they are telling you a story. Not only is it telling you about how it was grown and harvested and how it got from our fields to your plate, or how we as farmers are answering our calling; Our vegetables showcase your journey with food. They become the star of your next meal, any restaurant meal would pale in comparison. This is not an experience a grocery store can give you.

CSA customers appreciate the added value of purchasing vegetables grown on a farm right in their community, and they are willing to pay for it. If you're asking yourself, "well that's more than you'd pay at _______" maybe you want to hit the pause button on purchasing a share.

Are you looking for the best deal or for a new experience?

Yes, I want the whole CSA experience.
No, I really prefer to get the best deal possible.

How did you do?

Participating in our CSA program is just one way to get fresh farm-to-table produce on your plate.

If you're someone who values the story, the journey, and the relationship you can develop with your farmer, a CSA program is a great opportunity to change the way you eat forever. If this isn't for you, it's okay to pass on becoming a member and instead visit us at our market on Saturdays to purchase fresh produce from our farm. We offer both, so you can find what works for you!

Like anything, your expectations will determine how you experience the CSA program. To set yourself up for success, ensure your expectations align with the philosophy of CSA before you join the program.

Live. Love. Laugh. Farm

2024 memberships sold out!

HAVE QUESTIONS? WE HAVE ANSWERS.

HAVE QUESTIONS? WE HAVE ANSWERS.

HAVE QUESTIONS? WE HAVE ANSWERS.

HAVE QUESTIONS? WE HAVE ANSWERS.

HAVE QUESTIONS? WE HAVE ANSWERS.

How do i know if a CSA is right for me?

Interested in becoming a member? Send us a message below indicating the size share you are interested in and your preferred pick up location and we will send you the details.