What is a CSA Program?
CSA stands for Community-Supported Agriculture (or Community-Shared Agriculture) and involves directly linking growers with eaters. CSA members, or 'shareholders', purchase their food at the beginning of the season in anticipation of the harvest to come. Having this income at the beginning of the season helps the farmer offset heavy start-up costs (e.g., seed purchase, germination, bed preparation, maintenance and construction, planting, transplanting, and so on). In addition, removing the 'middleman' in this way means the farmer can make a fair wage for their work while receiving much satisfaction in providing highly nutritious and delicious food to their members in a manner that stewards the land. CSA is a locally-based approach to agriculture and food distribution that fosters food security, and most importantly, builds relationships within the community.
What's in the Weekly Box?
Based on weather and crop rotations, every year is unique. As the season progresses, you can expect to enjoy fresh spring greens, salad turnips, radishes, peas, carrots, strawberries, beans, potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, raspberries, corn, squash, onions, leeks, and much more.
Share Options:
We are trying out a One-Size Box this year, filled with super fresh vegetables and fruit from mid-June to the end of September! In addition, we will have a freshly stocked Webstore that you can peruse each week and add items to your liking. The 2019 CSA season will run for 15 weeks from June 18 to September 25. Given the varied nature of growing food, contents of the weekly food box will change depending on time of the season. This means that the spring and fall boxes will have fewer items compared with peak summer months when there is an abundant variety of crops to choose from. Our weekly newsletter will provide you with tips and tidbits about feature items in the box, farm news, and recipes to try -- a fun way to get to know your farmers and try out new or unfamiliar food. Who knows what food you might fall in love with this season?
CSA One-Size Box
The CSA One-Size box will usually contain between 5 - 9 different vegetables and fruit (when available) each week. This should work well for individuals (who also like to preserve), couples or a small family. The average value of the small share is $21/week.
Box Add-ons:
With our new Online CSA system, we will be offering a weekly egg subscription for those of you who love our delicious, multi-coloured eggs. In the Webstore, you will find an array of fruit and veggies to choose from each week, meat and growler/pipsqueak add-ons from Crannóg Ales!
Pick-Up/Delivery Info:
Tuesdays (June 11 to September 17)
The boxes will be available for pick-up from the farm on Tuesdays from 2 - 8 PM. This is a great opportunity to see first-hand what happens on the farm and how things change throughout the season.
We will continue with the option of delivery to Chase for $2/week (total will be $30 for the season).
Delivery to a drop-off point in Sorrento (parking lot near Century 21 in Sorrento) will be $3/week (total will be $45 for the season). Pick-up from this location will be available from 5 - 5:30 PM.
Wednesdays (June 12 to September 18)
Delivery to a drop-off point in Kamloops (Valleyview Square by Sushi Valley) will be $3/week (total will be $45 for the season). Pick-up from this location will be available from 4:30 - 5:30 PM.
Delivery to a drop-off point on the North Shore of Kamloops (Mount Paul Community Food Centre, 140 Laburnum Street) will be $3/week (total will be $45 for the season). Pick-up from this location will be available from 6 - 7 PM.
Payment:
** If your subscription if paid in full at sign-up, you will receive a bonus box at the end of the season **
Cheques can be made out to Golden Ears Farm and mailed to:
5848 VLA Road, Chase BC, V0E 1M1
E-mail transfer can be sent to goldenearsfarm@gmail.com.
Pay with installments of two post-dated cheques: Dated present date and June 10.
To pay us in cash please arrange to meet us at the farm or at the Saturday Kamloops Farmers' Market.
If there are still spaces available, subscriptions will close May 31, 2019.
In becoming a shareholder for the 2019 CSA Program, I agree to the following:
CSA stands for Community-Supported Agriculture (or Community-Shared Agriculture) and involves directly linking growers with eaters. CSA members, or 'shareholders', purchase their food at the beginning of the season in anticipation of the harvest to come. Having this income at the beginning of the season helps the farmer offset heavy start-up costs (e.g., seed purchase, germination, bed preparation, maintenance and construction, planting, transplanting, and so on). In addition, removing the 'middleman' in this way means the farmer can make a fair wage for their work while receiving much satisfaction in providing highly nutritious and delicious food to their members in a manner that stewards the land. CSA is a locally-based approach to agriculture and food distribution that fosters food security, and most importantly, builds relationships within the community.
What's in the Weekly Box?
Based on weather and crop rotations, every year is unique. As the season progresses, you can expect to enjoy fresh spring greens, salad turnips, radishes, peas, carrots, strawberries, beans, potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, raspberries, corn, squash, onions, leeks, and much more.
Share Options:
We are trying out a One-Size Box this year, filled with super fresh vegetables and fruit from mid-June to the end of September! In addition, we will have a freshly stocked Webstore that you can peruse each week and add items to your liking. The 2019 CSA season will run for 15 weeks from June 18 to September 25. Given the varied nature of growing food, contents of the weekly food box will change depending on time of the season. This means that the spring and fall boxes will have fewer items compared with peak summer months when there is an abundant variety of crops to choose from. Our weekly newsletter will provide you with tips and tidbits about feature items in the box, farm news, and recipes to try -- a fun way to get to know your farmers and try out new or unfamiliar food. Who knows what food you might fall in love with this season?
CSA One-Size Box
The CSA One-Size box will usually contain between 5 - 9 different vegetables and fruit (when available) each week. This should work well for individuals (who also like to preserve), couples or a small family. The average value of the small share is $21/week.
Box Add-ons:
With our new Online CSA system, we will be offering a weekly egg subscription for those of you who love our delicious, multi-coloured eggs. In the Webstore, you will find an array of fruit and veggies to choose from each week, meat and growler/pipsqueak add-ons from Crannóg Ales!
Pick-Up/Delivery Info:
Tuesdays (June 11 to September 17)
The boxes will be available for pick-up from the farm on Tuesdays from 2 - 8 PM. This is a great opportunity to see first-hand what happens on the farm and how things change throughout the season.
We will continue with the option of delivery to Chase for $2/week (total will be $30 for the season).
Delivery to a drop-off point in Sorrento (parking lot near Century 21 in Sorrento) will be $3/week (total will be $45 for the season). Pick-up from this location will be available from 5 - 5:30 PM.
Wednesdays (June 12 to September 18)
Delivery to a drop-off point in Kamloops (Valleyview Square by Sushi Valley) will be $3/week (total will be $45 for the season). Pick-up from this location will be available from 4:30 - 5:30 PM.
Delivery to a drop-off point on the North Shore of Kamloops (Mount Paul Community Food Centre, 140 Laburnum Street) will be $3/week (total will be $45 for the season). Pick-up from this location will be available from 6 - 7 PM.
Payment:
** If your subscription if paid in full at sign-up, you will receive a bonus box at the end of the season **
Cheques can be made out to Golden Ears Farm and mailed to:
5848 VLA Road, Chase BC, V0E 1M1
E-mail transfer can be sent to goldenearsfarm@gmail.com.
Pay with installments of two post-dated cheques: Dated present date and June 10.
To pay us in cash please arrange to meet us at the farm or at the Saturday Kamloops Farmers' Market.
If there are still spaces available, subscriptions will close May 31, 2019.
In becoming a shareholder for the 2019 CSA Program, I agree to the following:
- I will pick up my share at the designated time and place. If I cannot pick up or receive my vegetables, I will arrange to send a friend, neighbour, or family member on my behalf. If none of these options are available, I will give my farmers as much notice as I can so that alternative plans can be made. If I have not picked up my vegetables by the end of the pickup time, I allow my farmers to deal with my box using their best judgement in order to reduce spoilage.
- I will notify the farm of any problems with my share within 24 hours of pickup.
- I will return my bag each week, clean.
- I understand that farming is both seasonal and unpredictable, and that the exact selections and quantities included in the weekly distribution will change as the season progresses.
- I recognize that I am taking on some of the benefits and uncertainties of farming. I can celebrate the abundance when conditions are favourable, and may need to cope with low crop yields and crop failures due to weather, disease or pests.
- I commit to the entire season with the payment for my share (small or large box), plus add-ons if applicable. If I am unsatisfied with the CSA program, I will contact my farmers before the first four weeks are over and I will be eligible for a pro-rated refund, less a $20 administrative charge. After four weeks, shares are no longer refundable.
- I am open to the challenge of bringing new vegetables into my kitchen and planning meals with seasonal harvests in mind.
