Free-Choice CSA
What is a CSA?
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture and is a direct partnership between farmers and their community members. In the CSA model, members purchase a "share" up front and in turn get to pick up seasonal produce each week through out the growing season. By paying for your share up-front, you're providing your farmer with capital early in the season to purchase seeds, compost and other supplies necessary for feeding their community. In return, customers are securing their access to fresh, nutritious, seasonal produce picked at it's peak and grown by their local farmer, all at a discounted rate.
How it works
Crowfoot Farm's Free-Choice CSA runs for 20 weeks, from June through October, and is proud to offer it's members a wide variety of produce throughout the entirety of the growing season. A share entitles you to 6-8 seasonal "items" each week. An "item" could be a bag of greens, a pound of beets or summer squash, a pint of beans, lettuce head, etc. Member can choose between Tuesday or Friday pick ups Members will pick up at the farm (205 River Road, Biddeford) between 3 and 6pm on their designated day. They will be greeted with a market-style display showcasing the weeks offerings and will be able to hand select the items they'd like to take home each week. The available items will change with the seasons, but we aim to offer plenty of variety all season long.
This chart below aims to give a general idea of when we aim to have each crop throughout the season and what crops we have to offer.
**Please keep in mind that while we will do everything in our power to provide the most variety and highest quality produce, we are at the mercy of mother nature. The chart below is a great guideline for reference, but the timeline provided is not a guarantee. Temperature, precipitation, pests, and extreme weather are all factors outside our control that impact when certain crops might be ready. **
Perks
Included with your share is a pick-your-own area which will be open to members when they pick up their shares. These beds will have a smattering of different crops including herbs, flowers, hot peppers, and more that members can help themselves to during pick up if they would like to supplement their shares.
In addition to the pick-your-own plot, members will have access to the extras table. There, you will find any and all of our veggies that have slight blemishes and can't be sold or offered at full price. Feel free to take what you can use at no additional cost! We love using the extras for our dinner the night of CSA pick-up!
Bread add-on
This season Crowfoot will be partnering with Rover Bagel to offer weekly bread add-ons! Each week you'll have the option to pick up a fresh loaf of bread and/or other bakery items along with your share. The weekly, pay-as-you-go bread option makes this supplemental add-on customizable. More details to come as we near the first pick up of the season!
How much does it cost?
A share costs $500 which works out to $25 per week and around $3.00-$4.00 per item. Payments can be made by check or cash. If you'd like to pay for your share in halves to alleviate the financial burden up font, you may send in a post-dated check dated June 1st along with your check for the first installment. We never want price to be prohibitive so if the costs feels out of reach for you or your family, please send us an email and we can figure out something that works for you!
Community Share
We believe in good food for all! The Community Share is a way to help out our neighbors who otherwise would not be able to afford their share. When you sign up, you can add on a donation of your choosing and these funds will help offset the cost for members in your community. The Community Share is community care; if you are able, please consider a donation. It is a simple way to uplift those around us and ensure the nourishment and health of those in our immediate community!