Philosophy
We believe our CSA program offers us a more intimate way of connecting with our customers, while providing our customers with a means of connecting with and supporting a local farm.
Community supported agriculture also allows us to share the benefits and challenges of farming with our customers. By purchasing a share of our crop at the beginning of the season, CSA members increase our capital at a time when expenses are high and revenue is low. CSA members are then guaranteed a share of our crop, which may vary depending on the season.
Cost
A CSA share with Glorious Organics costs $500, and is preferably paid by February 1st, to assist us with our start up costs.
CSA Season
The CSA season is somewhat dependent on the year, but will run for 18 weeks, beginning sometime in June and ending sometime in October. Boxes may be smaller during the beginning and end of the season.
Delivery/Pick-up
Boxes are delivered to predetermined drop-off locations before 5 pm on Mondays, each week during the CSA season. Drop-off locations are determined by the location of our CSA members. Locations in 2011 were: Main and 24th, near Commercial on 5th, Kitsilano at 2nd and Maple, on the farm, and in New Westminster. New drop-off locations can be created with a minimum of 8 to 10 CSA members in the area.
Box Contents
Each box is filled with fresh, in-season produce from our fields, including a mixed, ready-to-eat salad. We try to vary the produce each week and provide recipe ideas for the items included. CSA members also have priority on our high demand items such as sugar snap peas, raspberries and mulberries.
What you might find in a CSA box:
Box Value
Each box is valued around $28, however this may change depending on the season. An important part of a CSA is sharing in the risks and benefits of farming. In a great farming year boxes may include more than $28 worth of produce, and in a challenging year boxes may include less. As well, early and late season boxes may have less then boxes during the height of the growing season.
CSA size
In 2012 we are offering 60 CSA shares.
Substitutions
We cannot make substitutions for box items, but we do encourage negotiating exchanges with other CSA members or sharing with your neighbour in the event that a particular box item does not suit your fancy. If you will be away and cannot pick up your box, you may have a friend pick it up or we can donate it to a local food bank or community kitchen.
Additional items
You may order additional items for your box on a weekly basis. Additional items may include eggs, extra salad, or additional produce if available. Bills for additional items will be sent a few times throughout the season depending on amount.
Connecting with the farm
There are a few ways CSA members can connect with the farm.
Work parties – while these may not be a highlight for everyone, some CSA members have expressed an interest in a more hands-on approach to the ‘sharing’ component of Community Supported Agriculture. As a result, we will be organizing a few work parties throughout the year for those who are interested and able to make it.
Farm Events – CSA members are invited to participate in farm events, such as our harvest festival in the fall.
Farm Visits – we welcome CSA members to come on out and visit the farm to see where, how and who grows their food. Please contact us prior to visiting to arrange a time that works for all.
On the Web – Although we are not terribly active on electronic media you can stay connected with semi-regular farm updates on our blog and you can check out our facebook group - gloriousorgnicsco-op.
More information
If you have further questions, contact David Catzel
Email: info@gloriousorganics.com
Phone: (604) 857-9057
Community Supported Agriculture
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) fosters a partnership between consumers (those who eat), and producers (those who grow food). CSA members purchase a share of the crop at the beginning of the season and receive 18 seasonal boxes of food (1box/week) in return. We invite you to read the information below to learn more about our CSA program and to help you decide if it is a good fit .
August 16th
Salad, radishes, beets, baby fennel, yellow plums, zucchini, bunch sprouting broccoli
July 4th
Salad, green onions, garlic scapes, new potatoes, turnips, collard bunch, mixed herbs
October 25th
Salad, beets, fingerling potatoes, garlic. delicata squash. celeriac, parsnips
