How I chose a CSA Farm

Edit:  I linked up the spreadsheet for local (97124) CSAs below.  It is a little messed up in GoogleDocs.  If you want a nicer version I can email it to you.
I signed up for "Sauvie Island Organic" farm.  I did this for several reasons:
- Pretty good price
- Not a huge variety, but that means more of each veggie and more staples
- People who joined another local CSA on the list had some concerns with it (and that was one I was leaning toward)
- My neighbor and I split a family share, which saves a few bucks more
- My neighbor and I will take turns picking it up
- The site where this farm drops off produce in our area is the same site where a lot of other food (milk, meat, dairy) is dropped off, so I can conveniently order other food on a weekly basis


What it came down to is that you don't know what things are super important to you about a CSA until you try it.  I'll keep you all updated on how I like it throughout the year and next year I will reassess my priorities. 
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My friend and neighbor, who is also a recently retired cook and chef, has been supporting CSAs for several years.  Often when she can't use up the vegetables she gets (or is going out of town) -- I benefited.  This year she asked if I would like to split a share with her.  I started doing a lot of research with some encouragement from a friend who is also planning on signing up this year.  He's what you need to know to get you started.

What is a CSA?
In CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture, people buy "shares" of a local farmer's harvest.  Then, for a certain amount of time, the harvest is distributed to the "share holders" weekly.  In essence, it is like a subscription.  Most farmers offer a variety of vegetables, some offer fruit, berries, herbs, honey, eggs, dairy, and meat.

What's in it for the farmer?

• They are usually paid upfront for the whole season, so they are able to fund the farm's expenses better.
• They get to know the local people that they feed.
• Red tape and paper work is reduced for them (in comparison to supplying big food distributing companies)
• They earn a living.

What's in it for me?

• Get fresh, local produce on a weekly basis (with it's full nutritional value still in tact!)
• You get a variety of food that you may not otherwise choose from the grocery store.  This diversity is great for your health and you learn how to cook new, and potentially favorite, dishes.
• Enjoy a truly seasonal diet that's best for the environment and your body.
• Visit the farm and see where, when, and how your food is grown.  Also, develop a relationship with the farmer that grows your food.

How to choose your CSA

• Review what kind of produce the farmers in your area offer (you can do so at Local Harvest.org).  Are you interested in receiving fruit? berries? honey? or are you mostly looking for vegetables?  some also offer eggs, dairy and meat for an additional fee.
• Check where you farmer drops off the food basket.  It's important that the location is convenient for you so you can fit the pickup into your normal errand run (usually if you forget to or are unable to pick up your food, it is donated on that same day).  Maybe the farmer can deliver to your home? (sometimes for an extra fee).  A few farmers in the area deliver to my husband's work, for example.  
• Consider if it's important to you that the farmer uses organic practices, or avoids any particular chemicals.  Sometimes farms do not get certified organic simply because it is too expensive to do so, and not because they do not qualify.  
• Compare the cost.  This is sometimes difficult as the amount of weekly produce differs from farm to farm and the length of the "subscription" greatly varies from about 4 to 9 months.  
• Check if the farm offers half shares.  Maybe a smaller amount of produce is right for your family.
• When you have narrowed your choices to two or three, visit the farms or give them a call.  They will be happy to answer any remaining questions.  

I'm excited to join a CSA this year!  I hope you will consider doing the same.  I'll share my experiences with you throughout the season.

Check out this short video for what to expect:


My friend, Courtney help me narrow down some farms that delivered near my house.  I then (with the help of my pro-spreadsheet-designer husband) put together an spreadsheet that compared duration, price, and assortment of each local CSA (sadly, my beautiful spreadsheet looks pretty sad in GoogleDocs because it doesn't allow vertical text, click on the produce box to read the word).  I also added some useful info (websites and notes).  Especially after visiting the websites and getting a feel for the farmers' personalities and values, I had a VERY difficult time choosing.  Do I want the largest variety possible? Or would I rather get more of the staples that I buy?  Do I care about their farming philosophies?