Community Supported Agriculture
NOTE: these resources are listed solely as a service to the public and are not an endorsement of, nor solicitation on behalf of these businesses. San Diego Roots is not paid for these listings nor can listings here be bought. They are listed solely to help folks looking for locally grown food find it.
CSAs are a great way to support your local farmer. When you buy into a CSA, you are buying a share of that farm's production -- not only the harvest, but also the costs of production. A typical CSA will deliver a standard weekly "share" or box of produce to drop points around the area. You pay either monthly, quarterly, or annually for your share.
Links to articles about CSAs
Cutting out the middleman; shoppers are buying shares of farms. In an environmentally conscious tweak on the typical way of getting food to the table, growing numbers of people are skipping out on grocery stores and even farmers markets and instead going right to the source by buying shares of farms. By Susan Saulney, New York Times, July 10, 2008
Because different farms offer varying sizes and drop points, you should check out each before deciding which program is right for you.
Local CSAs
Garden of Eden CSA This CSA is a cooperative program of Budwood Farms in Fallbrook and Rodrigues Farm in Vally Center. They offer drop points in San Diego, Carlsbad, Irvine and Cathedral City. Garden of Eden Organics is a true labor of love. They love what they do and it SHOWS in how it GROWS.
Tierra Miguel Foundation CSA The Foundation is actively involved in creating a demonstration farm where young and established farmers and the community can deepen their relationships to the earth. Our first step was to create a demonstration farm by transforming the existing monocrop of strawberries, which had already been planted when the Foundation began leasing the farm in September of 2000, into row crops suitable to begin a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.
Be Wise Ranch CSA is a certified organic farm that has been growing organic produce since 1977 in the Santa Fe Valley, just twenty miles north of San Diego. Be Wise Ranch offers a wide selection of CCOF certified organic fruit and vegetables, including vine-ripe heirloom tomatoes, strawberries, squash, and melons. Situated in a coastal zone about eight miles from the ocean, Be Wise Ranch's unique microclimate allows us to grow year-round, and to specialize in early and late season vegetables.
Seabreeze Organic Farm CSA Small in size, Seabreeze Farm is mighty in production with their firm belief that if people truly understood and valued, where and how their food is grown, we could very quickly help reduce waste, environmental damage, strengthen families, and dramatically increase our health throughout Earth. They currently are taking on new shareholders.
Inland Empire CSA is unique because it is a co-operative of two farms: Sage Mountain Farm, located east of Temecula in the High Desert; and De Luz Farms and Nursery's Mediterranean climate. With this wide range of growing climates they are able to offer a wide selection all year round. Serves San Diego County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Coachella Valley and part of Los Angles County.
JR Organics CSA The farm started 50 years ago on the beautiful, rolling hills of Valley Center and was CCOF certified in 1986. They grow a wide variety of crops and specialize in all types of heirloom vegetables, fruits, lettuce and dark leafy greens. The family has been selling their organic produce at Farmer’s Markets throughout southern California for many years and started their CSA program in the fall of 2007. Serves southern California.
Suzie's Farm Suzie's grows over 75 different varieties of vegetables. CSA membership available. $25 per box per week - 12 week commitment. 619-662-1780. Three pick-up locations: University City and La Jolla on Tuesdays and North Park on Thursdays. They are forming an interest list for Chula Vista, Ocean Beach/Point Loma and Imperial Beach.