Guelph CSA Directory
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What Does CSA Mean?
CSA is an acronym for "Community Supported Agriculture", or alternatively, "Community Shared Agriculture".
CSA is a model of production that supports local farmers and benefits local consumers on many levels. CSA members purchase their farm memberships in advance of the season, providing financial stability and the assurance of a ready market to the farmer. The farmer and the consumers enter in to a shared risk arrangement, which means a bumper crop or a poor crop is shared equally. In return the farmer provides a weekly share of fresh, in season, local produce to their group of members. It's rather like having your own farmer, and the potential for a long-term relationship between your farmer and you is one of the nice benefits.
Weekly CSA baskets encompass a wide array of possibilities, depending on the farm you choose. Options may include vegetables, fruit, meats, eggs, baked goods, honey, maple syrup, flowers, etc. No two farms are the same, so check out the offerings to see what works best for you.
Some farms offer farm tours and work opportunities as well as classes to give you the skills to handle the bounty that comes your way as the season progresses. Most CSA's grow their food using ecologically friendly practices, including some Certified Organic or Certified Biodynamic farms. The overall benefit is a closer relationship to your farm community, resulting in a more ecologically sustainable and equitable food system. The only thing better is growing it yourself!!
Listings:
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Ignatius Farm CSA
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Description:
Ignatius Farm CSA and Orchards are part of the Ignatius Jesuit Centre of Guelph. The land encompasses over 600 acres of farmland, wetland, and woodland, located less than a kilometer from Guelph. It includes a Jesuit community, a retreat house, offices, hiking trails, community garden plots, and hosts other organic agriculture projects. (e.g. www.FarmStart.ca) Ignatius Farm is certified organic, maintaining and enhancing the environment of the farm while growing healthy and safe food. It is strongly supported by the surrounding community.
Ignatius Farm Community Shared Agriculture provides a share of the weekly harvest to members for 20 weeks beginning in late June. Members share in the risk and bounty of the season, but are assured of a tasty season with up to 60 types of fresh organic vegetables and apples. Members pick up their share at the farm. U Pick flowers, herbs, and some vegetables are also part of the benefits of being a CSA member. Ignatius Farm CSA also offers seasonal Internships in the Practice and Principles of Organic Agriculture.
Produce: Organically-grown CSA vegetables, farm store with honey and apple products.
Area of Coverage: Guelph and vicinity
Share Information:
Approximately 275 shares available
Summer share - mid-June through October Tuesday 3:30 - 7 p.m. Friday 2:30 - 6 p.m.
Winter share - December and January
See website for more information and prices
Contact:
Donald Bowyer
5420 Hwy. 6 North, RR#5 Guelph, Ontario
(519) 824-1250 x245
Email: csamembers@ignatiusguelph.ca
Website: http://www.ignatiusguelph.ca/csa
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Whole Circle Farm CSA
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Description:
We are a diverse operation that incorporates sustainability, health and ethics to raise nourishing food for the mind, body and spirit. In 2010 our head farmers, Maggie and Johann Kleinsasser won the 'Sustainable Farmer of the Year' award from the National Farmers Union. Our practices go well beyond all organic standards and we are a member certified biodynamic farm.
We are happy to be part of our local community by providing delicious, fresh produce, grains, meat and eggs year-round. We run a 20 week summer CSA (mid-June till October/November) which accounts for one week of vacation and have two share types: full shares and half shares . We have a pick-up at the farm and a drop-off in Georgetown and Guelph. The Guelph drop-off is outside the Unitarian Church (122 Harris St) on Tuesdays 4pm to 7pm. We also run a winter CSA immediately following the end of the Summer CSA. For more information and updates please visit our website.
Produce: Fresh produce, grains, meat and eggs.
Area of Coverage: Guelph (Unitarian Church drop-off, 122 Harris St., Tuesdays, 4-7 p.m.) and Georgetown. Pickup at farm available.
Share Information:
Summer shares:
June to October/November: full - $600, Half: $335
See website for more information
Contact: See website for contact and ordering information
Website: http://www.wholecirclefarm.ca/
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Cedar Down Farm CSA
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Description:
Cedar Down Farm is a family-run organic farm growing a diverse selection of organic vegetables for Community Shared Agriculture (CSA), with weekly pickups at the Guelph Youth Music Centre.
We believe that everyone should be eating food that is nutritious, delicious and just, and that a local, ecologically-sound food system is the way to make that happen. Through our CSA, we provide our local community with freshly picked, organically-grown produce and give our members the opportunity to get to know the farm and farmers who produce their food.
Our summer CSA program begins in June and runs until November, providing members with an abundant selection of over 50 types of vegetables along with our newsletter with farm stories, facts and recipes. Our winter CSA picks up in November, with winter-hardy vegetables, legumes and greens until March.
Produce: Wide variety of fresh produce in summer, winter vegetables, legumes and greens in winter.
We will also be providing local, pasture-raised eggs, chicken, turkey, pork and lamb from our friends at Green Being Farm.
Area of Coverage: Guelph: Weekly pickups at the GYMC, 75 Cardigan St. Guelph.
Share Information:
Summer CSA: June - November
Winter CSA: November - March
See website for pricing and other information
Contact: Call 519-665-2008 or see website
Website: http://www.cedardownfarm.ca
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Plowshare Farm CSA
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Description:
Know your farm, know your farmers... know your food!
Plowshare Farm is an organic, horse-powered farm. We grow more than 50 different kinds of fruits and vegetables that we sell through our CSA program. We are dedicated to building a resilient local food system that values the land, the people and the animals working on the farm, and the eaters.
The Plowshare share includes 20 weeks of fresh produce, starting in mid to late June and ending mid to late October. The cost of a share is $600 and generally feeds two veggie lovers or an average family of four. Half-shares are available for $400.
Plowshare Farm's Commitments to our CSA members:
- To grow all our food following certified organic standards, and to be true stewards of the land we farm
- To grow a wide variety of herbs, vegetables, small fruit and flowers
- To provide only the highest quality, freshly harvested food
- To provide a weekly newsletter including cooking and preserving ideas
- To encourage feedback from CSA members, and to tailor the CSA to your needs
- To be financially transparent with the membership
Area of Coverage: Guelph: Tuesday, 4-7 PM at Paisley & Edinburgh. Kitchener Farmer's Market Saturdays from 7am to 2pm. On the farm Tuesdays and Fridays from 4-7pm.
Plowshare also has dropoffs in Toronto, Kitchener, Orangeville and at Mapletons Organic Farm. See website for details.
Location: #8548 Wellington Rd. #7, Moorefield, ON, N0G 2K0
Contact: Call Yehuda Nestek or Shannon Stirling at 519 731-4437 or email plowsharefarm@gmail.com
Website: http://plowsharefarm.wordpress.com
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Irvine Creek Organics
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Description: Irvine Creek Organics is a few acres of rolling, fertile soil located in Southern Ontario near Belwood Lake, about ten minutes outside of Fergus. Our beautiful location allows us to provide small-scale, organic agriculture for good folks in and around Fergus, Elora, Guelph and all of the other little communities that dot this corner of the countryside. The land at Irvine Creek Organics is worked by a few people who absolutely, positively love the way seeds can turn into food. We grow all our vegetables and herbs following strict organic guidelines, with a respect and understanding for the way nature likes things to work, and a belief that sustainability and ecological soundness are in the hands of the people- you, and us.
Produce: locally grown, organic produce starting in the last weeks of June.
Area of Coverage: Guelph, Fergus
Share Information: We offer two sizes of baskets, both of which vary in size according to the seasons. Shares start out small in the Spring and grow throughout Summer and Fall into baskets bursting with all of your favourite vegetables.
Regular Share: $575 (roughly fills a bushel basket)
Small Share: $375 (roughly fills a half-bushel basket)
See website for more information
Contact:
Phone: 519-787-2356
Fax: 519-787-0017
E-mail: irvinecreekorganics@gmail.com
Mailing Address:
Irvine Creek Organics,
6759 Wellington Rd 16,
RR1 Belwood, Ontario,
N0B 1J0
Website: http://www.irvinecreekorganics.com
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Green Being Farm
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Description: Looking for delectably divine, locally and organically grown veggies to get you through the winter?
Green Being Farm specializes in WINTER CSA shares only! We are unique in that we are first and foremost dedicated to providing our members with local and organically grown food throughout the winter, when supply and quality is often declining. Imagine next February, eating crisp, sweet carrots that taste like they were just pulled from the ground, and garlic that is actually juicy rather than its dry counterpart from overseas! We specialize in a multitude of crops- a diverse array of winter squash, various kinds of carrots, squash, pungent onions and leeks, as well as winter greens to keep you nourished over the darker months.
What we have found is that eating locally is undoubtedly a joy in the summer but, when you get into January and February, things can get challenging. Our CSA is structured to keep things 'fresh', bringing new items to the table all winter long, some tried and true, and some new and unique. And, it's not just about the veggies! As a member you get preferential access to our pastured Berkshire pork, pastured chicken and turkey, grassfed lamb and eggs from our flock of free-ranging, heritage hens. What's more, we are working with 2 local chefs to provide our members with soups and other prepared meals made from Green Being ingredients.
Our goal is to provide you with the best eating experience possible throughout the winter, from the highest quality vegetables, to pastured and humanely raised meats and eggs. Everything is grown or raised with the greatest of respect for the environment, and the dignity of our animals.
Although we are all about winter, we accept members any time of the year.
Produce: carrots, beets, cabbages, kale, collards, garlic, potatoes, rutabaga, parsnip, kohlrabi, leeks, onions, celery root, squash, Brussels sprouts, spinach, pumpkin, (plus preferential access to our Berkshire pork, grassfed lamb, pastured turkeys, chickens and eggs.)
Area of Coverage: We deliver to Guelph every other Tuesday evening from late October to late Feb. (exact location TBA but will be in downtown area). We also deliver to Fergus and KW.
Share Information: Please check the website for current share prices
Website: http://www.greenbeingfarm.ca
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Backyard Bounty Box
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Description: Backyard Bounty is a unique community-based agriculture project. We cooperate with participating community members to convert their yard space into productive vegetable gardens. It is our hope to foster community, utilize urban space and increase local sustainable food production and education. We wish to respect the natural world so that along with our communities, they can grow and flourish harmoniously. The organically grown produce is available to the community through the farmer's market, CSA shares and is at many restaurants throughout town.
Produce: See website for current offerings
Area of Coverage: Guelph and vicinity
2011 Share Information: Half Shares: $295 for 20 weeks - Full shares: $495 for 20 weeks
Optional Delivery - $100 additional for the season for either share, or $120 for a group.
Location #1: - Wellington Chiropractic and Wellness Group, 12 Waterloo Ave. (across from Farmer's Market). Tuesdays (about) 4:30 to 6:30 pm.
Dates for this location: Tuesdays, 4:30 to 7 pm. First day will be June 16th and last day on Oct. 27th.
There will also be fresh-baked bread and other goods for sale to CSA members and public.
Location #2: Borealis Grille and Bar at back of parking lot, 1388 Gordon St, Guelph, ON, N1L 1C8
Dates for this location: Thursdays, 4 to 6 pm. First day will be on June 14, last day on Oct 25th.
There will be fresh-baked bread from Lucy's Bakery for sale to CSA members.
Website: http://www.backyardbounty.ca
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