As the weather warms we’re thinking about cleaning up our own yards and perhaps growing our own gardens for the summer. Many of our farmers are starting their registration for CSA’s or Community Supported Agriculture.
For those new to CSA’s, it’s a way for consumers farmers to connect with in-season locally grown products. The consumer buys a share of the products that are grown and they are delivered (or you can pick them up from the farm) to your home allowing for the absolute freshest vegetables and herbs. You could liken a CSA to a subscription box or grocery delivery service in that your products will be delivered on a schedule. CSA’s will include vegetables, but each CSA is as unique as the farm that grows the product.
For the consumers, it’s a terrific opportunity to get vegetables, fruit, eggs, and meat to your door fresh from the farm to your door. Another benefit to CSA’s is trying new products you weren’t sure of or had never heard of. If you love to cook and try new things, CSA’s are perfect for foodies or for those that love farm-fresh food (don’t we all!).
The benefits are great for a small farm as well. It’s great for small farms as they can grow for a specific audience and have a guaranteed set of customers for the summer, and creating a relationship with their customers.
A few things to consider when purchasing a CSA membership. When you join a CSA you’re making a commitment to the farmer and them to you. As any farmer will tell you, crops depend on a number of factors for things to go well, but one thing they can’t control is the weather. That will be reflected in your box. If a farm’s crops of zucchinis have been impacted by a storm, you may not get zucchinis. BUT, if it’s been a great year for growing, you will share in the wealth of the farm. Yes. If you have other suggestions or tips for first-time CSA participants, please let us know in the comments.
How to find a CSA in Alberta
It’s important to look for a farm in your region as the farmer will deliver your CSA box straight to your door. You can find farms in your region or ask your farmer at your local farmers market if they offer CSA. It is important to find a CSA early in the year as opposed to in the summer as the CSA spots can be limited and therefore sold out.
List of CSA’s in Alberta.
We have compiled our list of CSA’s in Alberta.*
| Name | CSA Type | Location | Price | Dates Available | Link to Purchase | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YYC Growers | Vegetables, Fruit, Meat, Eggs, Produce | Calgary (Pickup locations available across Calgary or opt for delivery right to your door) | $29.95/week | Year-round | www.yycgrowers.comwww.yycgrowers.com | info@yycgrowers.com |
| The Jungle Farm | Summer Vegetables. Add ons available | Red Deer County | $475 for 14 weeks of vegetables. Add ons available. | Summer | https://www.thejunglefarmhttps://www.thejunglefarm.com/CSA.com/CSA | info@thejunglefarm.com |
| Prairie Gardens | Vegetables, plus produce options | Bon Accord | Varied based on type of box you subscribe for. See website for details | Year-round | https://prairiegardens.org/produce/community-suphttps://prairiegardens.org/produce/community-supported-agriculture/ported-agriculture/ | info@prairiegardens.org |
| Stone Post Farm | Summer vegetables and egg add ons | Pickup locations only in Edmonton, Wildrose, St. Albert, Spruce Grove, Jasper, Hinton, Edson, Wabamun and Entwistle | Varies based on frequency and type of CSA selected. See website for details | Summer | https://stonepostfarms.ca/https://stonepostfarms.ca/ | info@stonepostfarms.ca |
| Bretona Farm Co. | Summer vegetables | Sherwood Park/Edmonton | Varies based on frequency and type of CSA selected. See website for details | Summer | https://www.bretonafarm.cahttps://www.bretonafarm.ca/csa/csa | bretonafarm@gmail.com |
| Riverbend CSA | Summer vegetables | Edmonton (13 pick up locations) | Varies based on frequency and type of CSA selected. See website for details | Summer | https://rihttps://riverbendcsa.ca/verbendcsa.ca/ | info@riverbendgardens.ca |
| Grey Arrow Farm | Summer vegetables | Camrose, Edmonton, Sherwood Park pickup locations | Varies based on type of CSA selected and garden time. See website for details | Summer | http://greyarrowfarm.ca/csaprogram/http://greyarrowfarm.ca/csaprogram/ | contact@greyarrowfarm.ca |
| Fifth Gen Farms | Summer vegetables and herbs | Wetaskiwin and Edmonton | Wetaskiwin & Area: $350 for Full 10-week share $175 for Half (bi-weekly) 5-week share Edmonton & Area (Leduc, Beaumont & Edmonton): $400 for Full 10-week share $200 for Half (bi-weekly) 5-week share | Summer | https://www.fifthgengardhttps://www.fifthgengardens.ca/copy-of-vegetablesens.ca/copy-of-vegetables | fifthgfarm@gmail.com |
| Compass Farms | Summer vegetables | Sherwood Park, Edmonton, Ardrossan | Varies based on type of CSA selected and garden time. See website for details. | Summer | https://www.harvie.farm/profile/compass-farms | compassfarmsyeg@gmail.com |
| TC Ranch | Summer vegetables | Berwyn, Grimshaw, Peace River | Prices: Half Share - $300 - produce for 1-2 people Full share - $575 - produce for 2-4 people Working share - work a total of 5 hours with us in the gardens and take $100 off either share! | Summer | https://tcrhttps://tcranch.ca/csa-programanch.ca/csa-program | tc_ranch@outlook.com |
| Summit Hill Farm | summer/fall vegetable CSA with add ons | Delivery to Cochrane area and NW Calgary. | Varies on the year. See website for more information | Summer/Fall | info@summithillfarm.ca | |
| Campbell and Sons Garlic Farm | Summer/Fall Vegetables | Lethbridge County | $500 | Summer/Fall | campbellandsonsgarlic@gmail.com |
Map of Farms
Find a farm with a CSA near you.
*If you are a farmer and would like to be on this list or know of a CSA farm that should be included, please email details to nicola@albertaagsocieties.ca