Community Supported Agriculture
A CSA is a simply one more way to buy your produce, with a bit of a twist:
This is a one-year commitment between you, the consumer, and me, the farmer. You agree to help financially support the farm for the year through your year-long investment (preferably made in the winter.) In return you get a small discount on your produce, and the best of the farm's bounty.
I run my CSA program a little differently than most farms do. I do not put together weekly pre-packed boxes for a set number of weeks. Instead, you can choose what you want, in the quantities you desire. There is no weekly minimum to spend, or any maximum on what you may get each week. There is no penalty or loss if you miss a week. You can choose the size of your annual investment in the farm.
Members make a pre-season investment in the farm at a denomination of your choice. The minimum is $200, up to a maximum of $500 for the season. You spend down your account at any time at either farmers market or at the farm. You do not need to shop every week, and there is no weekly minimum purchase. Very much like a debit account or a retail gift card, your selections will be deducted from your initial pre-season investment. Your credit is good through the end of the calendar year.
Pick up locations are at the Midtown Farmers Market on Saturdays, the Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market at City Plaza on Wednesdays, Zely & Ritz on Glenwood South on Wednesday evenings. Pick-up is also available at the farm 3 times per week. (Click here to view the farm's location through Google maps.) Go to the Produce page to see a list of what I grow, and when it is usually available.
How it all works:
You choose the size of the share you buy in the farm. You choose what you want each week, in the quantities you want. While you are not required to shop every week, or make a weekly minimum purchase, this works best for both of us is you pick up some produce most weeks! You will receive a newsletter through email each week, with the current available produce and prices, so you can plan ahead. Quantities may be limited on some items, at certain times of the year. If you are pressed for time, expect to get to the market late, or any other reason, you are welcome to place an order in advance from the weekly newsletter. I will have your items ready and bagged for you to grab-and-go. (Pre-ordering is not necessary, unless you plan to pick up at Zely & Ritz or from the farm.) The greater your investment, the greater your savings. $200-$349 gives you 5% savings, $350-$500 gives you 10% savings. So a $500 investment buys you $550 in produce, or a $200 investment buys you $210 in produce. I will track your account for you, and let you know where your balance stands each month. You may add to your account later in the year if you've used all of your credit. All initially purchased credit expires at the end of the calendar year. Unused portions of your initial investment are not refundable. If you have added to your account later in the calendar year, I am happy to extend your credit into the following year. | Pick-up Locations and Times
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I offer one of the more flexible Community Supported Ag programs you'll find,
but a CSA is not for everyone.
I have many happy CSA members, but in my experience, if any or all of the below sounds like you,
joining this or any other CSA program may not work in your best interest:
- If you do not like very many vegetables, or do not like trying new things.
- If you're banking on spending down all of your credit on just one or two items, you'll be very disappointed should those crops fail to produce well that year.
- If you rarely cook, rarely eat at home, and can't remember what your kitchen looks like. Farm-fresh foods are whole, unprocessed foods that almost always require cleaning, chopping, trimming, and cooking.
- If you think this is a great way to save a ton of money. Not necessarily. I offer an excellent quality product at a fair price that is comparable to similar local farms' prices. It's not like joining a discount warehouse club.
And...
- If you plan to pick up at the farm, I suggest making the drive out here once or twice before signing up. The farm is not in a very convenient location for most folks.
- If you are new to this program, I would highly recommend purchasing a smaller share than a larger one.
Sorry, the CSA for 2012 is full!
Renewing members, please click on the link below to download the 2012 membership form.
| 2012_csa_membership_form.doc |
