Home Outdoor Fun Fall for a CSA! The Antidote to Farmers’ Market Withdrawal by pat tanumihardjaSeptember 28, 2017 Search more like this co opgrass fed beefeducation centerfarm standfarmers marketfree rangehome deliveryorganic produceschool yearfarmfallpantryspringsummer Advertisement Trending Now Entertainment & Movies Netflix Finally Releases Trailer for Netflix Addams Family Spinoff ‘Wednesday’ Recalls 2 Million MamaRoo & RockaRoo Baby Swings Recalled after Infant Death Viral & Trending School’s Cell Phone Policy Goes Viral after Mom Refuses to Comply: ‘Nope’ News California Becomes 1st State to Provide Free Meals to Public School Kids News Nanny Job Listing Goes Viral Because It’s Bonkers Advertisement You can’t control the shifting seasons but if the thought of missing your weekly farmers’ market shopping trip sends you into the doldrums, we have a solution for you. Try a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) membership!Photo: Lancaster Fresh Farm How it worksIn the CSA model, community members pay a local farm or farm co-op for a share at the start of the growing season. This payment guarantees the shareholder a portion of the season’s bounty through weekly or bi-weekly produce shares. Members can also buy into other products such as grass-fed beef, free range poultry, cheese, dairy, and even flowers. It’s a win-win situation Members receive fresh, local–often organic–produce at reasonable prices (delivered to a chosen location), while local area farms produce better quality food securely with upfront financial support. Here in the D.C. area, we are lucky to have an abundance of CSA options, many offering flexible payment plans, pantry items, prepared foods, and delivery options (if your school-year is just too crazy to squeeze in pick-ups). Sign me up!Choosing the CSA that is right for you can be daunting. For an idea of what’s out there, check out these six unique fall CSA’s. Fall is a wonderful season to try CSA out. The season is short and offers the best of both worlds—a mix of summer produce and cooler-weather items. For even more options, visit Local Harvest to search by area and view CSA details and pick up locations with maps.Farm to Family (Richmond, Va)Choose from: fruit, meat, eggs, soy products, pasta, bread, and pantry itemsSeason: year-round, divided into spring/summer and fall/winter sharesPick-up: various locations in D.C. and Richmond, Va.What’s unique: This 501©3 nonprofit is a CSA, indoor market, and education center all rolled into one.Online: thefarmbus.csaware.comFrom the Farmer (Washington, D.C.)Choose from: six different plans offering fruits and vegetables, with optional add-ons like bread and pantry itemsSeason: year-roundPick-up: home delivery to all of D.C. and much of Maryland and VirginiaWhat’s unique: You can remove or add items from your CSA box via their website. Online: fromthefarmerdc.comLancaster Fresh Farm Cooperative (Lancaster, Pa)Choose from: vegetable boxes in three different sizes, with option to add fruit, cheese, eggs, meats, fresh flowers, or herbal medicineSeason: year-round, divided into spring, summer, fall, and winter sharesPick-up: various locations in D.C., Maryland, and VirginiaWhat’s unique: Over 100 family farmers own and invest in the co-op, guaranteeing it’s efficiently run and provides a wide variety of products. Online: lancasterfarmfresh.com Groundworks Farm (Pittsville, Md)Choose from: produce, egg, meat, chicken, and cheese shares in two sizesSeason: winter/spring, summer/fallPick-up: various locations in Virginia and MarylandWhat’s unique: Offers whole farm shares, a combination of all shares (above). Online: groundworksfarm.comLittle Farm Stand (Virginia)Choose from: fruits and vegetables, with the option to add on eggs, grass-fed beef, preserves, pies, honey, and maple syrupSeason: Spring, summer and fallPick-up: Home or office delivery to Washington, D.C. and Rosslyn, VaWhat’s unique: Very flexible—you pick exactly what items to include in your weekly box. Online: littlefarmstand.comThink ahead: Great Country Farms (Bluemont, Va) This CSA offers a farm share only from April to October but this is a fantastic option for families. Every membership includes fruit in each share, free farm visits, free weekly U-pick options and free or discounted admission to all the farm festivals and events. For busy families, the various pick-up and delivery options–public or private community sites, or delivered to your door–are a perk. Online: greatcountryfarms.comDoes your family have a favorite CSA? Tell us about it in the comments below. -Pat Tanumihardja Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Copy (Opens in new window) Search more like this co opgrass fed beefeducation centerfarm standfarmers marketfree rangehome deliveryorganic produceschool yearfarmfallpantryspringsummer Welcome to our Tinybeans family! Be sure to check your email for new activities, recipes and parenting hacks – and to see if you’ve won! Do you have a dog or cat? Select YES below and click submit to start receiving FREE pet ideas and inspiration, news about new pet products, exclusive offers and limited-time promotions. Yes, I have a pet! Submit GET READY FOR SUMMER! Enter to Win a $250 Gift Card! Enter your email and zip code below for a chance to win a Mastercard Gift Card. 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