We subscribed to a CSA to reduce the time between the harvest and our kitchen, since the food is locally grown. When it comes to nutrient value, you can’t do better than this—trust me! Food from other states or countries often sits in distribution centres after shipping, and before it gets to the stores, some of the nutrients have already been lost.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) helps you connect to farmers directly and get fresh produce for your table. Joining a CSA gives you the opportunity to support local farmers and create a resilient food system in your locality. You get to meet other people who value sustainable agriculture and eating unprocessed foods, therefore strengthening your community ties.
The market-style CSA is a newer model of CSA. You get to pay upfront at the start of the season and, in return, you’ll select your own produce at a designated farmers market, depending on the size of your share. The buy-down model involves a one-time payment to the farmer and subsequent purchases throughout the season until the balance is used up. Additionally, some farms provide the option of ordering and personalizing online.
Another form of CSA is the multi-farm CSA done either through collaborations or a distributor. This might offer more diverse or constant products, but it can diminish the direct farmer-consumer relationship that can be established with a single-farm CSA. You can also have a workplace CSA, where employees come together and the farmer sends the boxes directly to the business. Incentives or educational opportunities may be offered by employers to motivate employees to join and to promote the CSA as a benefit.
Here are 5 CSA farms you can join in Fletcher.
Cane Creek CSA
Pickup: Filmon Process Corp, Troyer’s Country Amish Blatz, Frugal Decor & More. They also offer limited deliveries to Fletcher, Arden, Asheville and Biltmore.
This CSA farm has been running for over 20 years in Western North Carolina (WNC). All income is derived from farm share sales as they don’t sell in tailgate markets. Cane Creek uses water-saving drip irrigation from an inspected water source. Boxes are made five days a week to ensure freshness. They offer multiple pickup locations and delivery for select areas. Signing up for a CSA membership provides recipients with an every-other-week or weekly box of farm-fresh vegetables. Payment can be done via check or cash, and paying in full for the season is optional.
Products
Fruits: melons, cantaloupes, and blueberries
Vegetables: Asian greens, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, collards, cucumbers, eggplant, green beans, green onions, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard greens, okra, onions, peas, pole beans, potatoes, radishes, salad greens, spinach, summer squash, sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, Swiss chard, tomatoes, turnips, and winter squash
Bearwallow Valley Farms
Delivery: AVL, GSP, and surrounding areas.
For over 80 years, Bearwallow has provided Henderson County locals with healthy fruits and vegetables for their table. The Costons, a fourth-generation farming family, developed Bearwallow Valley Farms from the roots of a century-old orchard located in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. This farm supplies wholesale apples, watermelons, carrots, and winter squash to AVL, GSP, and the Southeast. Nicole, a Registered Dietitian, wanted to guarantee that her CSA customers had access to a selection of nutritious foods and worked towards connecting with other local farmers to deliver the products to more households.
Their products are also available to shop online all year round.
Products
Eggs
Fresh flowers
Fruits: Apples, grapes, and watermelons
Vegetables: peas, garlic, Asian greens, broccoli, radish, beets, carrots, winter squash, and cucumbers.
Crab Creek Produce
Pick up: At the farm or WNC Farmers Market
This is one of the oldest farms in the area with over 40 years in business. This heritage farm specializes in summer vegetables, free-range eggs, and landscaping services that include large tree work. They also provide seasoned firewood for sale at the farmstand or at the WNC Farmers Market in the lower building.
Products
Eggs
Speciality products: firewood, Christmas trees, compost
Vegetables: tomatoes, sweet corn, summer squash, green beans and sweet peppers.
Edmundson Produce Farm
Pick up: At the farm or WNC Farmers Market
The farm is a non-GMO and environmentally-friendly provider of fresh, local, seasonal food for members. They are dedicated to delivering quality produce throughout the season. A share can consist of anywhere from 5-12 items, including strawberries and vegetables such as cucumbers, sweet corn, beans, tomatoes, squash, zucchini, lettuce, cabbage, peppers, greens, and pumpkins. The member is expected to return the produce container each week. The season typically runs from mid-May to September, with a 20-week period of produce share available for $300. A half-share weekly produce share is available for $500, and a full-share weekly produce share available for $120, plus a possible additional jam or canned item.
Products
Artisan foods: Preserves, jam, and pickles
Ornamental corn
Vegetables: winter squash, hot peppers, beets, cabbage, summer squash, mustard greens, sweet corn, pumpkins, cucumbers, green onions, collards, shell beans, eggplants, onions, and pole beans.
Creekside Farm
Pick up: At the farm on Wednesdays
Creekside Farm is a century-old legacy, providing a low-density, eco-friendly connection to a period of the past. The farm was initiated to promote the change the owners aspire to witness in the world; to offer people a genuine link to nature and nutritious food. It’s an opportunity for individuals to meet up and back locally-grown, nutritious, and delectable food, while living a more down-to-earth lifestyle. A CSA member is welcome to participate in events, bond with your neighbor through cuisine and back meritorious causes.
Products
Eggs
Flowers
Vegetables: arugula, Asian greens, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celeriac, chiles, collards, cucumber, eggplant, ginger, green beans, green onions, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mustard greens, okra, onions, potatoes, radish, salad greens, salad mix, shallots, spinach, summer squash, sweet peppers, sweet potato, Swiss chard, tomatillos, tomatoes, turnips, and so much more.
If you are local and care about diverting waste from our landfills, we would love to have you join our mission to make WNC a greener place to live.
Become a member today! https://compostavl.com/join