A Beginner's Guide to CSA . . .
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, which brings farmers and families together. Every year it is becoming more clear that people really do care about the quality of their food and where it comes from. Recently, many farms have set up CSA programs in which members submit payment prior to the growing season and in return get a “share” in the farm harvest.
A share includes a box of seasonal, locally grown produce every week during the harvest season. In Ontario we have a varied growing season, so you will always get what is fresh and in season in our area.
By receiving payment before the growing season, farmers can plan budgets in advance and pay for necessities such as seeds and equipment. This commitment enables the farmer to run the farm without having to rely on loans, and lets the farmer know how many people to grow for. It takes a lot of the financial risk out of farming. Then, when the CSA begins, you sit back and we bring the fresh foods to you. This program also has environmental benefits because local food doesn’t travel far, so it reduces carbon dioxide emissions from transportation carriers
A share includes a box of seasonal, locally grown produce every week during the harvest season. In Ontario we have a varied growing season, so you will always get what is fresh and in season in our area.
By receiving payment before the growing season, farmers can plan budgets in advance and pay for necessities such as seeds and equipment. This commitment enables the farmer to run the farm without having to rely on loans, and lets the farmer know how many people to grow for. It takes a lot of the financial risk out of farming. Then, when the CSA begins, you sit back and we bring the fresh foods to you. This program also has environmental benefits because local food doesn’t travel far, so it reduces carbon dioxide emissions from transportation carriers
Our Shares . . .
This year alongside our own quality produce we will be featuring the best and freshest items available from other local growers. Items will include blueberries, raspberries, apples and more! We will detail each item in your basket weekly including its origin and recipe inspirations, so you always know exactly what you're eating. A list of featured farms will be available soon.
Each basket contains fresh vegetables, herbs, melons and strawberries grown on our farm, and the contents of the baskets change with the season. All of the seeds we plant are either certified organic or sustainably grown. We do NOT plant GMO seeds, and do NOT use pesticides or herbicides.
Full share baskets also include one dozen eggs, one loaf of bread from a feature bakery and a featured local meat such as chicken, beef, pork, lamb or goat. If there is something you definitely do not want, just let us know and we will be happy to accommodate you.
We aim to provide lots of well loved vegetables such as garlic, potatoes, carrots, lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers, as well as some less common crops for variety.
Here are some of the items you may find in the vegetable baskets at different times during the season:
June:
lettuce, sugar snap peas, radishes, beets, arugula, spinach, scallions, turnips, swiss chard, cabbage, kale, baby pac choi, strawberries.
August:
lettuce, green/yellow/purple beans, collard greens, beets, basil, scallions, tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, cucumber, carrots, green peppers, hot peppers, cilantro, melons, watermelon, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, new potatoes
September:
lettuce, red peppers, carrots, radishes, leeks, tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, butternut squash, sage, zucchini, melons, swiss chard, kale, onions, brussels sprouts, berries, potatoes
Each basket contains fresh vegetables, herbs, melons and strawberries grown on our farm, and the contents of the baskets change with the season. All of the seeds we plant are either certified organic or sustainably grown. We do NOT plant GMO seeds, and do NOT use pesticides or herbicides.
Full share baskets also include one dozen eggs, one loaf of bread from a feature bakery and a featured local meat such as chicken, beef, pork, lamb or goat. If there is something you definitely do not want, just let us know and we will be happy to accommodate you.
We aim to provide lots of well loved vegetables such as garlic, potatoes, carrots, lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers, as well as some less common crops for variety.
Here are some of the items you may find in the vegetable baskets at different times during the season:
June:
lettuce, sugar snap peas, radishes, beets, arugula, spinach, scallions, turnips, swiss chard, cabbage, kale, baby pac choi, strawberries.
August:
lettuce, green/yellow/purple beans, collard greens, beets, basil, scallions, tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, cucumber, carrots, green peppers, hot peppers, cilantro, melons, watermelon, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, new potatoes
September:
lettuce, red peppers, carrots, radishes, leeks, tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, butternut squash, sage, zucchini, melons, swiss chard, kale, onions, brussels sprouts, berries, potatoes
Sign up for Ironwood Acres CSA . . .
The 2018 season is from the weekend of June 24, 2018 to the weekend of October 17, 2018. Some bi-weekly members will start one week later. We will contact you in early June to confirm the start-date and pick-up days as they may be subject to change.
Pick-up is available at our farm in Newcastle on:
Wednesdays from 4:30pm - 7pm
and
Saturdays from 11am - 2pm
For the 2018 season we are offering our members the following share options on a weekly (16 baskets) or bi-weekly (8 baskets) basis.
Payment in full before March 15th entitles weekly members to a $20 gift certificate and bi-weekly members to a $10 gift certificate. These are redeemable for any of the vegetables and extra products we offer at our pick-up locations and farm.
Refer New Members to Save!
Please share our information with your friends! For each referral that results in a new vegetable basket member before June 2018, we will issue a $10 gift certificate to the referring member. These are redeemable for any of the vegetables and extra products we offer at our pick-up locations and farm.
Thank you for supporting local :)
Pick-up is available at our farm in Newcastle on:
Wednesdays from 4:30pm - 7pm
and
Saturdays from 11am - 2pm
For the 2018 season we are offering our members the following share options on a weekly (16 baskets) or bi-weekly (8 baskets) basis.
Payment in full before March 15th entitles weekly members to a $20 gift certificate and bi-weekly members to a $10 gift certificate. These are redeemable for any of the vegetables and extra products we offer at our pick-up locations and farm.
Refer New Members to Save!
Please share our information with your friends! For each referral that results in a new vegetable basket member before June 2018, we will issue a $10 gift certificate to the referring member. These are redeemable for any of the vegetables and extra products we offer at our pick-up locations and farm.
Thank you for supporting local :)