Good Davisites Eat Local Veggies

Support Our Local Farms by Joining a CSA

by Becky Winters

Summer gardens are winding down. Adios to fresh picked tomatoes, eggplant, basil, peppers, zucchini and so many other warm weather favorites. Rather than run to the grocery store when you’re low on fruits, why not support a local farm directly and participate in a CSA program?

For those not familiar with CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), it’s a farm delivery service that connects community members directly with the food they eat. It’s a simple concept: the farm picks, packs, and delivers; you enjoy seasonal fresh-picked produce, year round.  Here in the Central Valley we have an abundance of farms to choose from, each with their own unique version of CSA.

This summer, while taking a break from teaching, I went to work
for Capay Organic, a family run certified organic farm located in Yolo County just 30 miles northwest of Davis on Highway 16 along Cache Creek. Here is how their CSA works, in contrast to some of the other farms in the area:

1) Capay Organic delivers to your doorstep, not a community drop point.

2) The service operates on a box by box system, not a contract.

3) You get a free box of produce when you refer someone else for a box.

4) Your first 10 lb. box of produce is $13 — ten dollars off the usual price.

5) Oh, and they let you customize your box according to what’s seasonal  and what you want to see show up on your doorstep in a nice little package. Kind of like the holidays, but healthier.

Here’s how you can make this happen: Call the farm directly: 800-796-6009 or visit online at www.farmfreshtoyou.com or send me an email. If you contact the farm yourself, just give them the promotion code 5718 and get $10 off your first box.

Enjoy a CSA this fall and lend your support to our local farmers.