Vegetable Baskets (CSA)

Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) is a system of growing and distributing organic produce that restores the link between farmers and the surrounding communities. Successful in Japan and Western Europe since 1965, CSA today operates on thousands of farms in North America.

In early spring each year, local households purchase subscription "shares" of the year's harvest from a local organic farm. CSA "shareholders" pay for their produce at the beginning of the growing season, providing the necessary start-up capital for farmers to purchase seeds, supplies and soil amendments, eliminating their reliance on expensive bank loans and helping to pay for the real cost of food.

CSA is a system that benefits everyone:

The farmer gains a healthy, economically viable farm business; the consumer receives affordable, fresh, healthy organic food, the local economy is strengthened; and the local environment becomes healthier as CSAs cut down on transportation and packaging.

What is a share?

In the 2010 season we are offering two types of CSA.

• Toronto CSA
  • Each share is roughly 8 seasonal items every other Thursday from the beginning of June to the end of October. There will be 11 deliveries in total. Baskets will be delivered Thursdays to drop-off locations near Dufferin Grove park and Leslieville. Each basket is worth $30 making the entire season's share $330. On top of this there is also a $20 gas fee for delivery making the cost of the entire season $350
• Farm Pick-up CSA
  • Each share is roughly 7 seasonal items every week (or every other week for half-shares) from the beginning of June to the end of October. There will be 20 pick-ups in total for full-share members and 10 for half-share members. Baskets are ready for pick-up from the farm from 10am-7pm on Tuesdays. Each basket is worth $25 making the entire season's share $500. Half shares are $250.
  • During farm visits members are welcome to visit and feed the animals or tour through the garden.

  How Do I Sign Up?

  Send a deposit of $50 payable to:

  Tony Neale

  535 Durham road 13, RR#1

  Sunderland, Ontario

  L0C1H0

  Payment options:

  • 1. For those that can afford it, payment in full by April 1st certainly helps in keeping out of debt in the spring.
  • 2. $50 deposit due April 1st, remainder due at the first CSA drop-off.

  Frequently asked questions?

  What if I go away and I can't be there to pick up my share?

  After much thought and two seasons of trying to manage members' pick-up schedules, we are asking members to make arrangements for someone else to pick up their vegetables for them on weeks they are away. Shares can be sold to neighbours and friends or given away as gifts. If you are unable to find someone to take your week's share, we will gladly deliver your vegetables to a foodbank or to our subsidized vegetable program in East Scarborough.

  I don't have enough money right now, but I'd like to be a CSA member. Can I still join?

  Sure! A deposit of at least $50 is required before the season starts. Alternative payment plans can be arranged.

  I don't really like or am allergic to.... garlic, tomatoes, potatoes, etc.

  If you are not excited about cooking with a variety of seasonal vegetables then a CSA share might not be for you. If you are not a natural cook, Google.com has thousands of recipes for any vegetable you can imagine. If you don't like baked beets,for example, try them juiced, baked into a chocolate cake, or shredded raw and mixed with fresh Wheelbarrow Farm greens, goat cheese, walnuts and basalmic-glazed pear

  If you are allergic to a vegetable we can substitute it for a double share of another.