Monday, May 09, 2011

CSA Options in the Rochester Area

Residents in the Rochester Area interested in joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program have a few options to choose from for the 2011 season.  May is the time to decide what CSA is right for your family because most CSAs begin distribution in June.  Below I have detailed a few of the bigger CSAs in the Rochester Area.

Maple Creek Farm




Website: http://www.maplecreekfarm.com/


How you Get Your Food: You drive to one of the 25 drop-off points around Metro Detroit and pick up your box.  There are two drop off locations in Rochester to choose from.


Cost: 20 Week Distribution.  Single Share Size $400.  Family Share Size $750 (my pictures represent the family share size)


How to Sign-up: http://www.maplecreekfarm.com/membership.html OR they are at the Royal Oak Farmer's Market on Saturdays if you would like to meet your farmer in person.

What does a Share Look Like?:  This is the CSA that I have been doing for the past 2 years.  You can see all the produce that I received each week throughout 2009 and 2010 the pictures I put together on Flickr.


Upland Hills Farm


Website: http://www.uplandhillscsa.org/

How you Get Your Food: You pick up at the farm on a Tuesday or Thursday at a specified time.

Cost: 16 Week Share.
They have several pricing options based on if you work on the farm or not.
1. Non-working Full Share   ($580 Pickup once a week)
2. Working Full Share           ($400 Pickup and 2 hours work once a week)
3. Non-working 1/2 Share    ($340 Pickup every other week)
4. Working 1/2 Share            ($250 Pickup and 2 hours work every other week)

How to Sign-up: Fill out their application form (pdf)

What does a Share Look Like?:  They list these photos on their website.


Blue Water Organics










How you Get Your Food: Pick up at the Rochester Farmer's Market.

Cost: 18 week season.  $375 for a small share.  

How to Sign-up: Go to the Rochester Farmer's Market, they are there every week or email: lee@bluewaterorganics.com

What does a Share Look Like?:  There are no photos posted on the website, but I am familiar with their high quality of their produce because I frequently purchase food from them at the Rochester Farmer's Market.  

Other Options
Antaya Acres - I found this CSA mentioned on Craigs list, although I have no experience with them: http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/grd/2331832825.html

* Door to Door Organics Michigan offered a CSA last summer.  Not sure if they will do the same for 2011.  You can still sign-up for their non-CSA option for weekly delivery of organic food (not always local).

* Raub-Rae Farm is at the Rochester Farmer's Market weekly and offer very good organic produce, and in my opinion the best eggs in town. So good, that I get up at 7AM to make it to the farmer's market in time to buy them, because they run out later in the morning.  They are a great alternative for someone who doesn't want the commitment for a CSA for a full summer, but wants fresh, organic food.  Connect with them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Raub-Rae-Farm/296325419291

* Local Harvest (http://www.localharvest.org/) is a great website to find farms selling the products you are looking for close to your home.

* Dobrasevic Food Company offers weekly delivery of local food (not organic) throughout Metro Detroit.  Check their website for more details: http://www.dobrasevicfoodcompany.com/

Are you a Rochester Area resident with experience with a different farm?  If so, please include the information in the comments.

2 comments:

Yvonne Osborne said...

Thank you for mentioning us. We are thinking of starting a CSA next year! Yvonne
Raub Rae Farm

aMichiganMom said...

Hi Yvonne, that is good to hear. I have been missing you guys week-after-week this summer. Been traveling and had some sick kids!

~Julie

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