Is CSA right for you? How does it work? Read on to find out.
What’s in each box?
The contents of the box change each week depending on what is in season and ready to harvest. Check out our crop list to see the variety of crops I grow.
I’ll always aim to fill the boxes with a good variety of greens, root crops, herbs and in season sweet treats like tomatoes and strawberries.
How big are the boxes?
I offer boxes in two different sizes.
The small box (an average of $17.50/week) contains an average of 4 items and is great for a single person or folks who want to supplement what’s in their own garden.
The large box (an average of $35/week) contains an average of 8 items and works well for families and people who cook dinner at home all week.
The size of the box fluctuates somewhat over the course of season, following the curve of our regional growing season.
Why is the CSA running for 20 weeks this year instead of 21?
Finding that elusive work life balance and having time to rest are both priorities for me! To those ends, I’ve decided to schedule a week off this year in August. The boxes will run for 10 weeks followed by a one week pause and then pick back up for another 10 weeks.
As a one person show, going 21 weeks straight with no possibility of a long weekend is getting a bit old and I’m looking for ways to make this farm feel sustainable for me as well as for the environment. As a bonus, stay tuned for details on where the veggies from our big week off will be donated and an option to come help harvest them if you’re interested.
What if I’m allergic or hate a vegetable?
In the sign-up form, please let me know about any veggie/fruit allergies you or your fellow box eaters have.
If you’d like a box without certain veggies that many people can’t eat, like nightshades (the tomato family) and alliums (the onion family), let me know and I’ll do my best to accommodate that too.
If these options won’t work for your diet, I’d recommend teaming up to buy a CSA with a friend or staying tuned for other options to place custom orders with me after I harvest for the CSA members. You can also visit the Rake and Radish Farm stand which is located on Norn Trail in PKOLS.
How does the sliding scale delivery work?
I’ve chosen to go with sliding scale delivery to balance the needs of our community to receive fresh veggies in town with the time it takes to transport them. This fee allows me to help pay a driver to bring the veggies into town.
The weekly hub fee is $0-$4. ($0-$80 over the course of the season.)
I want to make access to veggies as accessible as possible for you and as sustainable as possible for the farm so please choose the delivery cost that works for you.
If you’re comfortably employed, have savings and money for fun, please pay near the top end of the scale. If you’re unemployed, ineligible for benefits, doing unpaid care work, immunocompromised or struggling financially, please feel free to choose the lower end of the scale.
What happens if I go away for a week or two?
Unfortunately I’m not able to offer a refund for weeks when you’re unable to grab your box. But you can send a friend, family member, neighbour, or the random person you met on the bus to pick up your box and enjoy it in your place.
If you don’t know anyone who wants to eat your week’s veggies, just let me know and I’ll donate your box to someone in the community!
This year we will taking a one week break in the middle of August, so if your holiday coincides with mine then that will work out just great.
Why are the CSA shares more expensive than last year?
Inflation. As the costs of my seeds, organic fertilizers and building supplies all go up, the very small profit margins of farming don’t really allow me to absorb all of those costs on my own. Pricing the CSA shares is always a challenge in finding a balance between wanting to ensure the fresh, local produce is accessible to more folks in the community while also valuing the huge amount of labour that goes into growing your food and ensuring the farm is financially sustainable for me too. I also deeply value the work and expertise of other farmers in our community and never want to undercut their efforts to also make a fair wage.
What if I don’t know what to do with the veggies I get?
Don’t fear!
Every week, you’ll receive a newsletter with the names of veggies that are coming your way. As well, I’ll include a recipe with the week’s produce to get your cooking going.
And when in doubt, everything I grow tastes great either in a soup, a salad or a stir-fry!
Can I buy a CSA for my friend, parents or neighbour?
Of course! I think it’s a great present idea. Just let me know who it’s for and which pick-up option they’d like.
Are there other perks in joining the CSA box program?
Other than the obvious perks like getting fresh, local veggies harvested just for you, knowing that your grocery budget is staying in our local community and supporting a young queer farmer, stay tuned for invites to on-farm events over the course of the CSA season.
CSA members are invited to an annual farm tour and potluck, where they can explore the farm, ask questions and get to meet other CSA members.
You haven’t answered my burning question!
Send me a message by email at ardeo [at] rakeandradish [dot] ca or through the contact us form and I’ll be more than happy to answer.