Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
What is a CSA Program?
Our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program provides our members with a weekly selection of fresh produce directly from our farm throughout the growing season.
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We take care in creating a well-rounded assortment of vegetables and herbs at the height of their season, so that you can enjoy local produce at it's freshest.
Why join our program?
We think there are several compelling reasons for joining our CSA program.
Perhaps you have a keen taste for freshness and want to have your produce as soon as it's harvested. Maybe you're thrilled with idea of receiving new and interesting varieties on a regular basis. You could be interested in supporting local food production, or undertaking measures to reduce your carbon footprint.
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By joining our CSA, members also support our efforts to help supply local food-banks with fresh, high quality produce. In 2019 we donated about 1,500lbs to our local food banks, in 2020, our donations exceeded 2,000lbs, in 2021 we cleared 3,000lbs, and in both 2022 & 2023 we exceeded Our hope is that our CSA program will play a central role in supporting and expanding our efforts in this space.
In a nutshell, we hope to sell produce to those who can afford it, so we can give it to those who can't.
How does it work?
The Season
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We offer a limited number of memberships and members sign up prior to the start of the season. We expect that the 2021 season will run between 18 and 20 weeks. The first shares of the season should be ready the first or second week of June, while the final shares of the season should be toward the end of October.
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Whether your share is delivered or you're picking up, shares will be available each Friday.
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Like all farms, we're subject to whatever weather or natural pressures come our way. We do our best to prepare and adapt but losses are still possible.
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Weekly Shares
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Shares throughout the season are made up of an assortment of fresh vegetables and herbs. Whatever is in season and ready for harvest that week is what goes into our shares. We also like to try growing some interesting and uncommon varieties.
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Our crop plan for the 2021 season isn't fully formed yet but we expect it to include Beets, Carrots, Beans, Bunching Onions, Basil, Peppers, Kale, Radish, Garlic, Cherry Tomatoes, Parsley, Zucchini, Butternut Squash, Cilantro, Turnips, Snap peas, Swiss Chard, Spinach, a variety of Lettuces, Greens, and Salad Mixes, and an assortment of micro-greens and sprouts.
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Options & Pricing
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For our 2021 Season we're offering two sizes of shares.
The medium share is sized to satisfy the appetites of two adults. If you were part of our 2020 CSA, this is the size you're familiar with.
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The large share is sized to accommodate a family. A large share is roughly double the size of a medium. If you're hoping to satisfy three or more people, this is probably the size for you.
Safety First: COVID-19 Pandemic Precautions
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and for the safety of ourselves, our CSA members, and our relationship with our local food banks, we've made a number of changes to how we will operate throughout the 2020 season.
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Contact Free Payments (No Cash)
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Following public health guidance and the lead of other businesses and institutions, we will not be accepting cash or cheque payments during the 2020 season. Payments for CSA membership and other orders will be possible by credit card and email money transfer. If you're unable to accommodate either of these options, reach out and we can help sort something out.
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Contact Free Deliveries Only
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Our CSA shares will be delivered to members in a contact-free fashion. Once a week, we'll arrive at your home with your share, leave it on your doorstep, give a quick knock on your door, and move on.
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We realize it may be tempting to linger and chat, especially with all the distance and isolation we've all been experiencing, but we're a safety-first bunch! Once the battle is won and our neighbors, friends, family, and front-line workers are out of harms way, we can make up for lost time.
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Delivery Range
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Because we're new to handling deliveries, we have to be mindful of our range. We're happy to accept orders and sign ups from the triangle formed by Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, and Lindsay. Basically anything around Sturgeon Lake.
If you're just outside that area or not sure if you're within range, just shoot us an email before ordering and we'll get back to you within a day.
How do I sign up?
To join our 2020 CSA Program, sign up prior to the start of the season. Because space in the program is limited, sign ups will follow the convention of first come, first serve.
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As the season approaches, members will receive updates regarding the weekly shares, successes and challenges of the season, and more.
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Pay by Credit Card
You can sign up and securely pay by credit card below.
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Alternate Methods (E.g. Email Money Transfer)
If you'd prefer to pay by email money transfer or another means, get in touch with us at hello@brandestonfarm.ca first and we'll be happy to arrange it.
June
Carrots
Lettuce
Arugula
Radish
Micro-greens
Pak Choy
Salad Mix
Snap Peas
Spinach
Swiss Chard
Summer Squash
Kale
July
Tomatoes
Peppers
Carrots
Bunching Onion
Beans
Lettuce
Beets
Cucumber
Okra
Summer Squash
Salad Mix
August
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Summer Squash
Salad Mix
Okra
Cucumber
Beets
Beans
Bunching Onion
Carrots
Tomatoes
Peppers
September
Beets
Radish
Turnip
Lettuce
Spinach
Beans
Carrots
Tomatoes
Peppers
Melons
Butternut Squash
Acorn Squash
Pumpkins
October
Turnip
Carrots
Radish
Bunching Onion
Lettuce
Pak Choy
Kale
Beets
Spinach
Swiss Chard
Butternut Squash
Micro-greens
Herbs