What is CSA?

Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, provides a direct link between the production and consumption of food. A farm supports the community’s needs for fresh, nutritious food, while the community support allows the farmer to devote his energies to sustainable farming practices. Community members purchase a “farm share” for the growing season, entitling them to a weekly share of the harvest throughout the season, delivered by a farmer they know and trust. This commitment implies a willingness to share with the farmer the bounty of the land, as well as some of the risks of production. Our members receive a wide variety of produce grown on our farm and delivered to either of three farmers’ markets. CSA members have the joy of knowing where, when, and how their food is produced and become connected with and participate in local agricultural cycles.


How Our CSA Works

We offer pickup at the farm and at our UpTown Waterloo and Aberfoyle market locations. For on farm pickup we offer two sizes of bagged shares while at market we offer a full choice model priced based on household size. As a member, you pay in advance for the season, and then pick up your vegetables each week at the farm for bagged shares or at either of our market locations for full choice shares. Bagged shares contain a selection of seasonal produce while the market pickup full choice shares are more flexable containing whatever from our selection you expect to eat that week. There will be limits on some items that are scarce (e.g. early tomatoes) or high labour (e.g. beans) but otherwise you may take all you expect to use. It is understood that this is for use in the season, not for canning, freezing or giving to friends. Bulk quantities are sometimes available for canning and freezing at a 20% discount off regular bulk prices to CSA members.
All our products are grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. We are moving toward organic certification, a process that requires that the land not be conventionally farmed for three years.

Pick-up Locations

We are at two local market locations each week during the summer. CSA members are free to come pick up their vegetables from either of our local market locations.

Thursday 3pm to 7pm, Uptown Waterloo
June 13th to October 24th.
Waterloo Square Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market
75 King St. South, Waterloo, Ontario

Saturday 8am to 1pm, Aberfoyle
June 15th to October 26th.
Aberfoyle Farmers’ Market
23 Wellington Road 46, Puslinch, Ontario

Members from greater Kitchener-Waterloo may prefer the Waterloo Square market-based CSA pick-up. Members from Guelph and vicinity will likely prefer the Aberfoyle market-based CSA pick-up.

In addition, we offer on-farm pickup (a more traditional "box program" where we select what you get that week). We're located just outside New Dundee, 14 minutes from the edge of Kitchener (Huron and Fisher Hallman), and 19 minutes from the edge of Waterloo (Ira Needles and University). While we welcome members to choose either Market based (all-you-can-eat) or farm-based (fixed box) pickup, members from Cambridge, Ayr, Wilmot township (New Dundee, Baden, New Hamburg, Petersburg...) or Oxford county may prefer farm-based pickup, for its proximity.

All dates subject to change, when the individual farmers markets set their seasons.

To every thing there is a season

June

Garlic greens, Asian greens, Lettuce, Green onions, Peas, Radishes, Spinach, Herbs

July

Beans, Beets, Cabbage, Cucumbers, Garlic Scapes, Mixed greens, Peas, Patty-pan squash, Tomatoes, Zucchini, Herbs

August

Beans, Beets, Cabbage, Carrots, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Mixed greens, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Squash, Tomatoes, Herbs

September

Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Garlic, Mixed Greens, Leeks, Melons, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Squash, Tomatoes, Herbs

October

Beets, Broccoli, Carrots, Garlic, Mixed Greens, Leeks, Onions, Pumpkins, Radish, Squash, Turnip



Pricing for on farm pickup shares

Pricing for market pickup shares

Family shares

Designed for a family with two adults and children (under 16).
$35/week times 20 weeks = $700. With payment discount (paid in full by Dec 31, 2012): $665

additional adults in the same household, add $13/week = $260

Individual share

If you are a household of one then this is the option for you.
$22/week times 20 weeks = $440. With full payment discount $418.

Seniors share

Two adults
$27/week times 20 weeks = $540. With full payment discount $513

Single senior
$15/week times 20 weeks = $300. With full payment discount $285

Registration

To register, download the printable PDF CSA membership form. Completed forms can be mailed to:
Nith Valley Organics
936754 Blenheim Rd.
RR1 Plattsville Ontatio
N0J 1S0

Find out more about local CSAs at csafarms.ca