By Crystal Stevens
La Vista CSA Farm
There is a dire need for a shift in the way we source our food. Individuals around the globe are becoming more and more concerned about where their food comes from. Gardens are sprouting up across cities, towns and suburbs. There is a real need for change in our current food system. There are plenty of ways to source local produce, pasture raised meats, farm fresh eggs, and artisan foods. Our region has a plethora of farmers markets, CSA Farms and local grocers to choose from.
CSA-Community Supported Agriculture Farms are an excellent way to incorporate fresh local seasonal produce into the weekly diet. In a CSA Farm, members pay up front to help the small farmer with seed and operating costs. Members receive a share of the seasonal harvest each week during the growing season (typically mid May through October. The premise behind Community Supported Agriculture is that members share in both the risks and the benefits with the farmer; they enjoy the surplus and bounty during the great harvests, but also show patience and understanding when a crop failure occurs due to sometimes uncontrollable factors such as weather, plant disease, swarms of insects or wildlife. Members and their families build a relationship with their farmers and deepen their connection to where their food comes from and how it is grown.
A CSA box averages between $25 and $55 per week and may include vegetables and herbs. Custom boxes may be built to include local cheese, meats, dry goods and value added products.
Supporting localized food systems significantly reduces the carbon foot print by reducing the number of miles that food travels and also circulates funds back into the local economy.
Joining a CSA Farm is just one of many ways in which you can become involved in food issues within your community. You have choices to make in terms of what is right for you and your family.
Eating locally shifts your view on food and what to prepare when. Creativity enters the kitchen with heirloom and specialty produce that may make an appearance in your CSA Box throughout a season. It is great to plan ahead; find out what grows locally during each month in your region and ask farmers and neighbors how they prepare their seasonal produce. Check your local Meetups and garden clubs for recipe ideas. Typically, CSA Farms provide a weekly newsletter packed with information about the week’s share which includes recipes and farm happenings. Most farms are on various social media sites, providing recipe ideas and tips for planning ahead. Browse the guide below to see which CSA Farm suits your individual needs. Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food!
La Vista Farm
Since 2002
Mid May through late October
Non GMO seeds
Produce is grown using sustainable methods. (No synthetic pesticides! No synthetic Herbicides!)
Offers members a variety of over 120 vegetables and lots of fresh herbs that can be grown in the region including specialty and heirloom varieties as well as medicinal herbs for teas and tinctures. Standard items include broccoli, cabbage, Napa cabbage, Bok choi, Gourmet Salad Mix, specialty Asian greens mix, fresh herbs, carrots, eggplant, golden zucchini, zucchini and squash, heirloom tomatoes, sun gold cherry tomatoes, kale, chard, peppers, eggplant, scallions, potatoes, colorful bell peppers, garlic, sweet potatoes, Winter squash, and much more. Visit website for a complete list.
Shareholders also enjoy access to the pick your own field, in which they can bring the whole family out for a day of picking delicious sugar snap peas, fresh herbs, strawberries, green beans, three varieties of cherry tomatoes, stunning flower bouquets, and medicinal herbs.
Farm Pick-Up on Tuesdays and Fridays from 2pm-7pm in Godfrey, IL (45 minutes from St. Louis)
St. Louis pick up every Saturday morning from 7am-9am at Garden Heights Nursery on 1605 South Big Bend Blvd in Richmond Heights.
AND Tower Grove Farmers Market 9am-11am every Saturday Morning.
Edwardsville Pick-Up on Tuesdays from 5:30pm-6:30pm at Green Earth Grocery.
www.lavistacsa.org Find us on facebook
Full Share $600 Alternate Share $340 + one time delivery fee of $35 for pick up in St. Louis, MO
or Edwardsville, IL.
Sign up at www.lavistacsa.org
Email crystal@lavistacsa.org Call (618)467-2104
Sign Up at our booth in the Farmers Market Section at STL Earth Day and at the Tower Grove Farmers Market Kick off Festival
Open House and Farm Tour May 15th 12-2
La Vista provide 15 Community Offering Shares to low-income families and donates over 1,000 lbs of produce to local food pantries.
Eric and Crystal teach a variety of workshops ranging from foraging wild edibles, sap on tap maple syrup workshop, outdoor cooking, permaculture, vermiculture and using medicinal herbs.
www.growcreateinspire.com
Weekly e-newsletter with fresh seasonal recipes from The Farmers Table
Farmer Crystal contributes to Feast Magazine and is a regular contributor to The Healthy Planet magazine. Crystal blogs for Mother Earth News. She is the author of Grow Create Inspire which will be published this year. See her blog growingcreatinginspiring.blogspot.com
La Vista CSA Farm is located on the scenic bluffs of the Mighty Mississippi in Godfrey, IL. 4350 Levis Lane Godfrey IL 62035.
Avant Gardens CSA
Co-operative with several area farms
avantgardensco-operative.weebly.com
facebook.com/avantgardenscsa
avantgardenscsa@gmail.com
phone 573-237-5121
1108 Olive New Haven, MO
367 Cedar Grove Lane New Haven, MO 63068
Mini Shares are $30/week ($390/three month season)
Basic Shares are $50/week ($650/three month season)
Premium Shares are $80/week ($1,040/three month season) 39 weeks. Array of seasonal fruits and veggies, one or two meat items, bread, cheese and eggs in each share
Vegetarian shares are available. Serving Franklin County and surrounding areas. Pick up locations are New Haven, Washington, Hermann and Rosebud
EarthDance Farms
Since 2010
Mid May – end of October (24 weeks)
$600 per season
Website: www.earthdancefarms.org
Contact person/email/phone number:
Soraya Faramarzi
soraya@earthdancefarms.org,
314-521-1006.
Earth Dance Farms grows over 100 varieties of vegetables including kale, tomatoes, radish, leeks, greens mix, cabbage, squash, potatoes, peas, beets, spinach, pumpkin, cucumbers, onions, sweet potatoes, collards, garlic, arugula, chard, turnips, zucchini, peppers, and many more! You-pick herbs and flowers also available to members on the farm.
Example share (size of box, bag, etc): Varies seasonally. 7-10 items per share. Includes veggies and herbs. Eggs available for purchase at stand. “What’s Fresh” email newsletter features recipes and keeps you posted on what to expect each week.
Price breakdown: $625 for new members, which translates to $25 per week. We require a $100 deposit and $25 new member fee to secure a spot, then 2 payments of $250, due March 31st and April 30th.
Pick up/delivery info: Pick up will be Saturdays from 8am-12pm at the Ferguson Farmer’s Market. (20 S. Florissant Rd.)
Fill out the registration form and CSA Contract on our website (http://www.earthdancefarms.org/what-we-do/earthdance-csa-program/) Then mail the signed contract and deposit/new member fee to:
EarthDance, 233 Dade Ave, Ferguson, MO 63135.
Fair Shares CCSA (Combined CSA)
Since 2008 the original combined CSA in STL
Offering a 48-week season from April – February for over 450 families in St. Louis.
Local happy produce, meats, eggs, cheeses, yogurt, nuts, grains, pasta, bread, candy, coffee, canned goods and more from over 75 farms and producers.
We offer five types of shares, which all include a meat or protein, a variety of seasonal produce, dairy and other staples: $50 Full Share picks up weekly; $50 Half Share picks up bi-weekly; $33 Mini Share picks up weekly; Delivered Mini Shares delivered to the workplace with minimum number of member signups required, $40/week; NEW Limited number of BYO (Build Your Own) Shares available in Full, Half, Mini or Delivered–See fairshares.org for details.
Annual, Semi-annual, Quarterly or Monthly payment options available.
Pickups in Midtown (Wednesdays and Thursdays 3:30 – 7:00), UCity (Wednesdays 4:30-6:00) and Kirkwood (Thursdays 4:15-6:00). Sara Hale, sara@fairshares.org, 314.853.5743 Twitter: @fairsharesccsa Facebook: Fair Shares CCSA. What sets Fair Shares apart is that we create collaborations with farms and small producers to include local ingredients in the prepared foods we offer to members, including pasta, soups, cookie doughs, condiments and more. We pay our farmers well, and we pay them on delivery because we think what they do is important and valuable to our health, as well as to the local economy. All non-produce items in the shares are tradable so members can customize their shares to suit their dietary preferences. Working with a vast array of farmers gives our members an incredible variety of produce, and with all the other items we carry, it’s easy to eat local exclusively all year long.
Gateway Greening Urban Farm
Since 2013
Late-May through Late-October (24 weeks)
Vegetables, herbs, limited fruit
Full Share (4 to 6 people): Early June – Kale, Chard, Salad Mix, Radish, Bok Choy, Peas, Garlic Scapes, Tart Cherries, Thyme, Oregano
Half Share (2-3 people): See Above.
Full Share: $600 ($25/week)
Half Share: $300 ($25/week). Payment Options available. Lump Sum. 3 installations, paid in full prior to first pick-up. Pick-up Only. Gateway Greening Office
2211 Washington Ave., St. Louis MO 63103
Wednesdays, 11am-6pm, Saturdays, 9am-3pm
How to sign up: www.gatewaygreening.org/csa/
Website: www.gatewaygreening.org
Contact person/email/phone number
Rachel Deffenbaugh, rachel@gatewaygreening.org
314-588-9600 ext. 109
Lee Farms CSA
Since 2007
100 member CSA
CSA runs for 20 weeks, begins 1st week of June and runs until mid-October.
The CSA is produce (vegetables, watermelons, cantaloupes), and eggs. Meat from Lee Farms is available throughout the year as an additional purchase. Everything in the Lee Farms CSA share box is grown on our farm by our family. The share box will contain 6 to 10 different items each week and will range from 7 to 10 pounds of vegetables. A share costs $550 for the season. Larger families purchasing multiple shares receive a 10% discount. We have established pick-up sites in: Ladue, Skinker/DeBaliviere, Central West End, South City, Webster Groves, Crestwood, St. Charles, and Warrenton. The pick-up sites are divided into Tuesday or Thursday delivery days. This balance is important to ensure fresh veggies for all, and is determined as sign-ups progress. New sites can be established if interest warrants.
Rusty & Teresa, Lee Lee Farms, LLC 39358 Pin Oak Church Rd Truxton, MO 63381
www.facebook.com/leefarms
rusty@leefarms.net
314 954 0551 cell 636 597 9921 farm.
Local Chef StL
May through November (24 weeks)
Members receive vegetables, fruits, pastured eggs, antibiotic free meats, hormone free dairy as well as a Local Chef value added product
Pick up locations in Chesterfield, Weldon Spring, Manchester. full and half shares available
Contact Robert Uyemura at localchefstl@att.net for more information
Local Farmer Crop Boxes
Year Round
$25 per week $30 per week for custom box
Full and Half Shares
Home delivery and several pick up locations available
Sustainably grown
Garden Share includes seasonal vegetables. Custom share may include bread, meat, eggs, yogurt and more.
www.localfarmercsa.com
Local Harvest Grocer
Weekly Harvest
Since 2010
year-round
Purchase from a variety of farmers to provide the participants with a variety of items such as vegetables, meat, eggs, grains, diary, tea, honey, etc.
The amount varies by season. An example would be: 1 carton eggs, 1 lb eggplant, 1 head broccoli, 2 onions, 1lb ground turkey, 1 bunch of chard, 16oz bag of organic Missouri rice, 2lbs sweet potatoes, 2lbs apples, 3 heads garlic, 1lb fresh beets with greens
$50 a week + tax. Participants also receive 10% off anything else purchased at Local Harvest at pick up.
Pick up times vary, but slots are available on Friday, Sunday and Monday. Limited delivery options for Kirkwood, Webster, Clayton, University City and Downtown.
Sign up via email: weeklyharvest8@gmail.com
www.localharvestgrocery.com
Contact person/email/phone number: Becca at weeklyharvest8@gmail.com or 314.865.5260 for store number
Macs Local Buys Grocery Bag
Since 2013
$70 per week (includes tax)
12 total pick ups
Bi-weekly -mid may through October
Pick up on Wednesday evenings at south parking lot Civil Life Brewery 4:30-7:30pm
Items include pastured meats, pork, beef, poultry, seasonal produce from Three Rivers Community Farm, canned goods, and dry goods
www.macslocalbuys.com
Veggies, Meat, Eggs, Bread, Treat/Sweet – 2 sacks of local goodness each week!
Veg CSA, 2 lbs local proteins, 1 doz farm fresh eggs, loaf of artisan bread and a treat/sweet.
Chris “Mac” McKenzie 314-479-8155, macslocalbuys@gmail.com
New Roots Urban Farm
Since 2005
May-November
Members receive vegetables, fruits, and herbs
One share includes 7-10 items. Shares vary seasonally based on what is available. We grow over 50 varieties of fruits, vegetables, and herbs using sustainable methods (no synthetic chemicals).
Whole Share (22 Weeks): $550
Half Share (11 Weeks): $225
Spring Share (6 Weeks): $150
Fall Share (6 Weeks): $150
Pick up is on Friday afternoons at our farm near Downtown St. Louis (1832 Hogan Street).
Alternative pick up plans may be arranged.
Send an email, a facebook message, or call.
newrootsurbanfarm.com
facebook.com/newrootsurbanfarm
newrootsurbanfarm@gmail.com 314.764.5748
Full Share $550. everything grown organically
Because we only offer a limited number of shares each year and our farm is run in a collaborating/cooperative style we often build great connection with our share holders.
Oakway Farms
Since 2015
Mid-May through end of October
24 weeks for Weekly Memberships and 12 weeks for Bi-Weekly Memberships.
We grow non-certified organically grown produce along with free ranged, non-GMO fed chicken and eggs free of antibiotics, steroids, and hormones.
Spring share: .5lb baby kale, .5lb lettuce mix, .5lb arugula, 1bu kohlrabi, 1bu hakeuri turnips, 1pnt snap peas, 1pnt snow peas, 1bu swiss chard, 1bu cilantro, 1bu dill, 1bu garlic scapes, 3 zucchini, 1 whole chicken, 1dz eggs.
Summer share: 3lbs slicing tomatoes, 1lb heirloom tomatoes, 1pnt Sungold tomatoes, 3 sweet red peppers, 3 eggplant, 2 jalapeno’s, 1lb green beans, 1bu basil, 2hds lettuce, 1pnt okra, 1hd hardneck garlic, 8 chicken thighs, 1dz eggs.
Fall share: 1lb Brussels Sprouts, 1bu kale, 1bu radishes, 3lbs sweet potatoes, .5lbs lettuce mix, .5lb spinach, 1bu purplette onions, 1bu carrots, 1bu beets, 2 winter squash, 12 chicken wings, 1dz eggs.
Price breakdown:
Produce –
Weekly Full Vegetable Share: $690/24 weeks – Bi-Weekly Full Vegetable Share: $350/12 weeks – Weekly Partial Vegetable Share: $390/24 weeks
Chicken –
Weekly Chicken Share: $360/24 weeks
– Bi-Weekly Chicken Share: $189/12 weeks
Eggs
– 1dz Eggs Weekly: $138/24 weeks
– 1dz Eggs Bi-Weekly: $70/12 weeks
Farm Shares: Combines veggies, chicken, and eggs. Best Deal!
– Weekly Full Farm Share: $1069/24 weeks
– Bi-Weekly Full Farm Share: $549/12 weeks
– Weekly Partial Farm Share: $799/12 weeks
Pick up/delivery info: Home delivery available to most areas of St. Louis ($100 for Weekly Shares and $50 for Bi-Weekly). Pick-up locations in Kirkwood, Webster Groves, and Glendale. Looking for more around St Louis as well! How to sign up:
Go to http://www.oakwayfarms.com/members/types
Website: www.oakwayfarms.com
Contact person/email/phone number
Michael Phillips
Michael@oakwayfarms.com
Our City Farm CSA
Since 2010
May – October
Heirloom Produce, Pastured Poultry, Soy-free Eggs
Whole/Half/Mixed shares
Cafeteria-style plan, flexible pricing
Central West End pickup/local delivery
Sign up online- www.ourcityfarm.com/members or call us at 314-282-5290
www.ourcityfarm.com
Contact Jeri Villarreal info@ourcityfarm.com
314-282-5290
Rosy Buck Farm
A variety of personalized farm share options ranging from $128 – $575 for 16 weeks, June-Oct. Shares can be picked up on our farm in Beaufort, and or in the St. Louis area, location TBD. Members will receive an assortment of vegetables and herbs, with eggs and rabbits as optional add-ons. Work-trade for shares is welcomed.
Holly and Randy Buck, Beaufort, MO
www.rosybuckfarm.com
3147400960
Seeds of Hope Farm Co-op
since 2012
Time frame in which produce is provided: May 19 – November 10
What your farm provides members: wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs
Example share (size of box, bag, etc): a box with 6-8 veggies, with a farmers’ market value of $20
Price breakdown: Sponsor members pay $28 per share to subsidize access for low-income members who pay $12
Pick up/delivery info: Pick-up sites in Overland, Bel-Ridge, Spanish Lake in the County and the Grove neighborhood in the City.
How to sign up: online at www.seedsofhopefarm.org
Contact person/email/phone number: Gabriel Hahn, ghahn@caastlc.org, 314-566-8643
Shared Bounty CSA
Since 2009
Late May until early November
fruits, berries vegetables and herbs
A full share is approx. 15 to 20 lbs. per week. A half share is approx. 7 to 10 lbs.
Full share at our farm—$ 770.00, or delivered to your door for—$ 960.00
Half share at our farm—$ 445.00, or delivered to your door for—$645.00
We offer farm pickup at our farm in Troy Mo., or we also offer delivery right to your door.
Visit www.sharedbounty.com, and fill out the membership form and mail it to us.
Contact Jim Prouhet
jim@sharedbounty.com
314-280-7268
Terripin Farms
Since 2008
June through September
$550 full share $400 half share
Shares include a variety of vegetables, herbs and melons
Pick up in O’Fallon MO and St. Charles 4:30-7:15 Thursdays
Contact Jessica Whiston
217-440-4678
https://www.facebook.com/terripinfarms
Vegetables, Melons, Herbs
full share (1 bushel) half share (Half bushel)
How to sign up email terripinfarms@gmail.com
Website www.terripinfarms.com
The Farm at Kraut Run
May through October
$950 per season
Pick up at The Farm 4354 Wilson Road Wentzville MO
Certified Naturally Grown vegetables, fruits herbs and flowers including heirloom varieties.
Certified Naturally Grown Farm. Free range ducks, chickens and hogs are fed 100% non GMO feed.
Pork and Eggs are available in addition to the cost of the shares.
Visit www.krautrun.com
Email farmatkrautruncsa@gmail.com
The Libertine CSA- The Neighborhood Bag
Since 2014
$405-$495, depending on share
Share Options include vegan, vegetarian, Paleo and Omnivorous
Pick up Tuesday 11am-7pm at The Libertine in downtown Clayton
Focus on local, high quality ingredients including seasonal produce, cheese, eggs, meat, fresh bread. Chef Josh Galliano adds specialty artisan items each week
www.libertinestl.com
Three Rivers Community Farm
Since 2007
2016 is our 10th season!
Mid-May through October as well as winter CSA program
Produce only CSA, all organic and all grown on our farm
Full members receive a weekly box of 8-10 produce items; every-other-week members receive that same amount, just every-other-week. We also have flex and summer-only membership options.
Full is $650; every-other-week is $325; flex and summer are $350.
We have pick up sites in Maplewood, Tower Grove and Edwardsville
Our CSA is sold out for 2016; however, you can reserve your spot now for 2017 with a $50 deposit (which will also give you a 10% discount at our farmers market stands this season) at our website.
www.threeriverscommunityfarm.com
Amy Cloud; info@threeriverscommunityfarm.com; 618-946-7974
Vesterbrook Farm
Since 2009
Certified Organic or Certified Naturally Grown Vegetables, Fruits, Herbs, Eggs and Pasture- Raised Meats
Home Delivery and several group sites including Clayton/Ladue, Chesterfield, Fenton, Kirkwood, Saint Charles, Saint Peters, Town & Country, Troy, and Wentzville.
www.VesterbrookFarm.com
Cost is from $25-$80 per week
Shares are offered Year round
Delivery options throughout St. Louis and surrounding area
Shares may be customized to include meat, eggs, dry goods, grains, olive oil, jams and more
Contact farmer Mike at 573-560-0871 Or visit www.VesterbrookFarm.com for additional information
YellowTree Farm
May through October
Shares include Vegetables, Mushrooms, Fruit, Eggs and local staples
Pick up at the Schlafly Farmers Market and The Tower Grove Farmers Market
Contact Justin@yellowtreefarm.com