The kind of glee that CSA bags can instill in even the most jaded of fast-foodies is rather remarkable to watch. Just ask my children, who before last summer eyed anything green or leafy with serious suspicion. They now clamor for kale, organic carrots and fresh apples. Miraculous.For the uninitiated, CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), is a sort of subscription to an individual farm. You pay somewhere between $10 and $30 (sometimes more) per week directly to the farm, and in return are delivered a weekly box or canvas bag stuffed with a surprise selection of freshly harvested fruits and vegetables. One week it may be greens, apples, peaches and onions; the next something completely different. Various CSA's also include fresh eggs, cheese, bread, meat and even flowers. Call it one stop shopping with a conscience.
And though paying up-front for your subscription (which helps the farmers with crop planning and expenses) can be a bit paralyzing to some, working out the math over the long-haul makes the deal comparable -- and even cheaper in our case -- to weekly grocery bills.
Not to mention the thrill of discovery at what the farmer left for us this week.
Canvas Ranch: At this bustling sheep ranch and farm in west Petaluma,
Deborah Walton and her husband have turned neglected pastures into a
fertile landscape boasting everything from tomatoes and cauliflower to
peppers, beets and zucchini. Several times a year, CSA members are
invited to tour the property, meet the teddy-bear sweet mini sheep and
tour Tim's on-site art studio. What makes this CSA so special are
add-ons including Della Fattoria bread, local cheeses, eggs and
flowers. It can all add up, but you can try out the program for $112 (4
weeks) to get started. (707) 766-7171, www.canvasranch.com.
First Light Farm: There's plenty of buzz about Nathan Boone's biodynamic farm, now offering a year-round CSA. Boone walks the walk of earth-friendly, sustainable farming, taking the philosophy one step further into promoting health and healing through food. "Food is medicine", says Boone on his website. And among his fans: Cathryn Couch, executive director of Sebastopol's Ceres Community Project, which provides food for seriously ill patients. Subscription is $1,000 for 50 weeks, with an annual commitment required. firstlightfood.com, (707) 480-5346
Tierra Vegetables: Renowned for the more than 20 varieties of chiles grown on their farm, this brother and sister operation also produce enough vegetables for a growing legion of CSA fans. The focus is on vegetables at Tierra, but that doesn't just mean kale and spinach. Expect fun discoveries like dried chipotle powder, homemade catsup, cactus leaves and beans as well as the sporadic inclusion of berries, melons and other seasonal fruits. Best of all: Entertaining explanations of the week's bounty and intruiging recipes on how to cook up your goodies. $600 per season, June to Christmas. www.tierravegetables.com, (707) 837-8366.
Laguna Farm: One of Sonoma County's oldest and most popular CSA's, Laguna Farms describes itself as "beyond organic", and offers memberships for as few as three months. Organic bread, seasonal fruit and extra salad mix are available for an additional charge. Sign up: $75 deposit plus $17 week; lagunafarm.com, (707) 823-0823.
Sol Food Farm: New owners Ken Gibson and Lori Dawn Meier, formerly of Mudpie Farm, have taken over this Occidental farm and have lots of big ideas for the future of the CSA. They're incorporating new biodynamic practices, adding animals. $750 for 25 week season, pick up at the farm. solfoodfarm.org, (707) 604-7120.
Valley End Farm: Though you may not know it, you may already be eating from Santa Rosa's Valley End Farm, the largest certified organic farm in Sonoma County. The Grossi family have more than 70 acres, locally, and sell to Safeway, Whole Foods, restaurant suppliers and at area farm markets. The CSA offers a handy four week trial for those just dipping their toes in, ranging from $60 to $100 (based on the size of your box). www.valleyendfarm.com, (707) 585-1123.
Orchard Farms: Weekly door-to-door deliveries from this small, family-run organic farm in Seastopol. Orchard Farms 10951 Barnett Valley Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472. Phone (707) 823-6528. www.orchard-farms.com/csa.htm
Foggy River Farms: Twenty-something farmers Emmett and Lynda begin year two of their back-to-the-land adventures. Along the way they've garnered the goodwill and support of CSA members, and have a few spaces left for late-comers to their Healdsburg program. farming101.wordpress.com or emmett.hopkins@gmail.com.
Petaluma Bounty Farm: Seeking to provide healthy food for low-income families, Petaluma Bounty serves up "Bounty Boxes" of fruits and vegetables at wholesale costs using donated land and volunteers to work the land. The growing program also includes support for backyard and community gardens and "gleaning" by Bounty Hunters -- where unused harvests (often from backyard trees) is collected and distributed. Retail members are invited (those above maximum income requirements) to join as well. ($10-$18 per week, depending on income) www.petalumabounty.org or 707-775-3663
Sonoma County Meat Buying Club: Want a little meat with your kale? Local meat producers have been organized by the University of California Cooperative Extension in Sonoma County in a direct-to-consumers club for everything from grass-fed beef to humanely raised pork and pasture-raised chickens. More exotic cuts like duck and goat are available as add-ons and several CSA's (Tierra, Canvas Ranch, First Light, Laguna Farms) are collaborating with the club for one-stop-shopping. (Three-months obligation, $195-$540) groups.ucanr.org/LocalMeatProd/
Singing Frogs Farm: Though only a few spots remain, this Sebastopol CSA is popular not only for its Wednesday delivery of produce, flowers and eggs, but for additional member benefits like their summer blueberry festival, pumpkin harvest and invitation to swim in the pond farm or walk through the "Enchanted Bamboo Forest". www.singingfrogsfarm.com/Site/CSA_Info.html (707) 829-1389. ($560-$756 per season)
Wild Rose Ranch: Though tiny -- at just about an acre -- this Santa Rosa CSA grows dozens of veggies and guarantees at least five different types in each week's box. $475 for 25 weeks (June through Thanksgiving) plus three hours of time spent in the garden. Santa Rosa, Cotati pick up locations. sonomamountaincsa.blogspot.com or 707-545-6062.
Check out even more CSAs online: www.pressdemocrat.com/csa
First Light Farm: There's plenty of buzz about Nathan Boone's biodynamic farm, now offering a year-round CSA. Boone walks the walk of earth-friendly, sustainable farming, taking the philosophy one step further into promoting health and healing through food. "Food is medicine", says Boone on his website. And among his fans: Cathryn Couch, executive director of Sebastopol's Ceres Community Project, which provides food for seriously ill patients. Subscription is $1,000 for 50 weeks, with an annual commitment required. firstlightfood.com, (707) 480-5346
Tierra Vegetables: Renowned for the more than 20 varieties of chiles grown on their farm, this brother and sister operation also produce enough vegetables for a growing legion of CSA fans. The focus is on vegetables at Tierra, but that doesn't just mean kale and spinach. Expect fun discoveries like dried chipotle powder, homemade catsup, cactus leaves and beans as well as the sporadic inclusion of berries, melons and other seasonal fruits. Best of all: Entertaining explanations of the week's bounty and intruiging recipes on how to cook up your goodies. $600 per season, June to Christmas. www.tierravegetables.com, (707) 837-8366.
Laguna Farm: One of Sonoma County's oldest and most popular CSA's, Laguna Farms describes itself as "beyond organic", and offers memberships for as few as three months. Organic bread, seasonal fruit and extra salad mix are available for an additional charge. Sign up: $75 deposit plus $17 week; lagunafarm.com, (707) 823-0823.
Sol Food Farm: New owners Ken Gibson and Lori Dawn Meier, formerly of Mudpie Farm, have taken over this Occidental farm and have lots of big ideas for the future of the CSA. They're incorporating new biodynamic practices, adding animals. $750 for 25 week season, pick up at the farm. solfoodfarm.org, (707) 604-7120.
Valley End Farm: Though you may not know it, you may already be eating from Santa Rosa's Valley End Farm, the largest certified organic farm in Sonoma County. The Grossi family have more than 70 acres, locally, and sell to Safeway, Whole Foods, restaurant suppliers and at area farm markets. The CSA offers a handy four week trial for those just dipping their toes in, ranging from $60 to $100 (based on the size of your box). www.valleyendfarm.com, (707) 585-1123.
Orchard Farms: Weekly door-to-door deliveries from this small, family-run organic farm in Seastopol. Orchard Farms 10951 Barnett Valley Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472. Phone (707) 823-6528. www.orchard-farms.com/csa.htm
Foggy River Farms: Twenty-something farmers Emmett and Lynda begin year two of their back-to-the-land adventures. Along the way they've garnered the goodwill and support of CSA members, and have a few spaces left for late-comers to their Healdsburg program. farming101.wordpress.com or emmett.hopkins@gmail.com.
Petaluma Bounty Farm: Seeking to provide healthy food for low-income families, Petaluma Bounty serves up "Bounty Boxes" of fruits and vegetables at wholesale costs using donated land and volunteers to work the land. The growing program also includes support for backyard and community gardens and "gleaning" by Bounty Hunters -- where unused harvests (often from backyard trees) is collected and distributed. Retail members are invited (those above maximum income requirements) to join as well. ($10-$18 per week, depending on income) www.petalumabounty.org or 707-775-3663
Sonoma County Meat Buying Club: Want a little meat with your kale? Local meat producers have been organized by the University of California Cooperative Extension in Sonoma County in a direct-to-consumers club for everything from grass-fed beef to humanely raised pork and pasture-raised chickens. More exotic cuts like duck and goat are available as add-ons and several CSA's (Tierra, Canvas Ranch, First Light, Laguna Farms) are collaborating with the club for one-stop-shopping. (Three-months obligation, $195-$540) groups.ucanr.org/LocalMeatProd/
Singing Frogs Farm: Though only a few spots remain, this Sebastopol CSA is popular not only for its Wednesday delivery of produce, flowers and eggs, but for additional member benefits like their summer blueberry festival, pumpkin harvest and invitation to swim in the pond farm or walk through the "Enchanted Bamboo Forest". www.singingfrogsfarm.com/Site/CSA_Info.html (707) 829-1389. ($560-$756 per season)
Wild Rose Ranch: Though tiny -- at just about an acre -- this Santa Rosa CSA grows dozens of veggies and guarantees at least five different types in each week's box. $475 for 25 weeks (June through Thanksgiving) plus three hours of time spent in the garden. Santa Rosa, Cotati pick up locations. sonomamountaincsa.blogspot.com or 707-545-6062.
Check out even more CSAs online: www.pressdemocrat.com/csa
Thank you so much for this post! I'd never heard of CSAs, but after reading this I went out to find one in my area that still had shares available. I get my first box tomorrow! Strawberries, garlic scapes, lettuce, onions, cilantro and radishes are some of the things coming my way tomorrow. Yum!
Laguna Farms is year-round. They order organic food (as locally as possible & tell origin) to fill in gaps.
Eggs, organic dairy, bread, fruit in the summer & extra salad mix are available for extra charge. (not sure if the dairy is only on-site or available in the delivery. You'd have to ask). Also, onsite is a farm-store where extra produce is available for member purchase.
My box last week had salad mix (every week), beets, kale, kohlrabi, scallions, broccoli, potatoes & a bunch of thyme. I get the fruit so I also had strawberries, plums & pluots. YUM!
And a newsletter w/ info from the farm & recipes linked to what's in the box.
I use Sunborn Organics, an entirely organic farm located in Kenwood that just started it's first year of operations. I have used many local CSAs over the years, and have never been so delighted and inspired by the goodies that arrive on my doorstep!!
They also provide me with fantastic recipes that include many of the ingredients that come in my box along with useful and informative knowledge about the nutritional properties of my veggies so I am learning as I am cooking :) Keep your eyes out for them at local farmer's markets this summer, and check out their website:
www.sunbornorganics.com
Heather - Love these props for the CSA's. I'm spoiled by our local farmers.
great info. Laguna Farm in Sebastopol surprised me every week while I lived out west. Such a wonderful concept...keep it going farmers of CA.
Thanks for writing,I really enjoyed your newest post.I think you should post more frequently,you obviously have talent for blogging!
We use Green Valley CSA...they are out of Sebastopol and wonderful!
All organic of course, all site grown with a couple of fruits and veggies from neighboring farms.
Yum!
They can be reached at 707 824 8586, and have a few slots left for this year. Boxes start in a couple of weeks:)
I use Planti Organics which is a bit different. They fill your box from farms located in the bay area. They can either fill my box or I can. What I do is have them fill it and then subtract what I don't need and replace those items with what I have on my shopping list. They deliver to my home. Great people, great service. Check them out at www.planetorangics.com
I use Planti Organics which is a bit different. They fill your box from farms located in the bay area. They can either fill my box or I can. What I do is have them fill it and then subtract what I don't need and replace those items with what I have on my shopping list. They deliver to my home. Great people, great service. Check them out at www.planetorangics.com