Worried you’re not eating enough fresh fruit and vegetables? Joining a CSA (community-supported agriculture) program could be the solution you need. CSAs bring produce from local farms right to your door (or a drop-off site nearby) throughout the season, and are a great way to improve your diet and support local farmers.
On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin talks to Rooted Co-Executive Director Hedi Rudd and state Rep. Francesca Hong about the importance of eating locally grown produce and their organization’s commitment to food and land access for all.
Feeling hungry? FairShare CSA Coalition has some great tips on picking the CSA that’s right for you.
🥒 What Type of Share Do You Want?
CSA programs come in all different forms and every farm offers something unique. When I was part of a CSA, I had a box of veggies delivered every week, which I split with a co-worker. But you can get regular deliveries every other week as well.
Or you could buy what’s called a “worker share,” and work on the farm in exchange for your CSA haul. If you’re more particular about what you want, you could buy a “market share”, which gives you a credit that lets you pick what you want, either at the farmer’s market table or online.
You can also buy a “custom swap” that lets you switch out any and all items in your box, or a “free-choice share” that lets you pick whatever you want from a display.
🥬 How Much Produce Do You Want?
A standard share will provide enough to feed a family of four. But you can also go with a small share that feeds a couple, or a family with small children. Or you can go extra large and get a big box that you can split with another household, or have enough produce left over for preserving.
And, because CSAs are all about flexibility, you can buy a market share and determine exactly how much you want.
🥕 When Do You Want To Receive Produce?
You can sign up for a spring, summer, or fall share and receive produce during the season. There’s even a fall/winter box that delivers into early winter. If you’re looking for a couple of big shares for storage or the holidays, that’s also an option.
Many sign up for an “extended season” share, which covers all of summer plus either some of the spring or some of fall.
🍅 Where Should I Sign Up?
Here’s a partial list of farms that deliver CSAs to the Madison area. Check the FairShare online farm search tool for more options, and to tailor your search to your neighborhood:
Troy Farms: A program of the Rooted non-profit, this northside farm has been offering CSAs since 2001. Make sure to stop by the farm for Pizza Night!
Little Society Farm: This Baraboo organic farm offers customized shares in the summer and fall.
Westridge Organic Farm: This farm in the Driftless region offers shares in three seasons with over 40 varieties of vegetables.
Blue Moon Community Farm: This diversified farm in the town of Dunn south of Madison offers market shares only.
Crossroads Community Farm LLC: This popular farm serves 850 families, with plenty of community events on the farm 30 minutes from Madison.
