If pushing through crowds at the city’s busiest farmers’ markers doesn’t sound like an ideal way to get your produce, consider signing up for a Community Supported Agriculture program. You’ll be supporting local farms, eating fresh, organic produce and having it delivered to an area near you. By buying shares in any of the CSA’s members, you’ll be taking on the risk and rewards of local farming and looking forward to a bounty of fresh produce each week that mostly depends on what is successfully growing at the time. These farms all have delivery drop-offs in Calgary and are worth checking out.
Eagle Creek Farms
Eagle Creeks Farms’ 14-week summer vegetable share runs from July to October, and offers subscribers a delivery of fresh, seasonal veggies each week. The deliveries start out with salad veggies, root crops and tender crops later in the season. Eagle Creek tries to include seven to nine different veggies in each delivery. They also offer two to three option bins and a trade bin so you can tailor your weekly vegetables to your specific taste.
Eagle Creek Farms, Bowden, AB, 1-877-224-3939, eaglecreekfarms.ca
YYC Growers and Distributors
Instead of coming from one farm, YYC Growers’ share comes from a group of small urban farmers working together to provide a bounty of food for 16 weeks starting in June. Each week’s box has organically grown produce from six to 10 producers. Early in the season, you can expect veggies like kale, beets and green onions, and potatoes, squash and zucchini later in the season.
YYC Growers and Distributors, yycgrowers.com
Billyco Junction
For flavourful, garden-grown produce, consider a subscription from Billyco Junction in Lacombe. With a variety of share options available, it’s easy to find a package that suits your needs. Billyco Junction grows more than 40 different types of vegetables each year and more than 100 varieties of vegetables each season. Billyco also offers an option to add on fruit and egg shares.
Billyco Junction, Lacombe, AB, 403-782-4263, billycojunction.com
Seeds to Greens
In addition to sharing its produce, Seeds to Greens wants you to share in the process. Through its farm get-togethers, the owners of this Calgary location invite its CSA shareholders to create a relationship between the food they eat, the land on which it’s grown and the farmer who grew it. Learn about and enjoy produce ranging from beets and beans to fresh greens and rhubarb. This year, Seeds to Greens is setting up a mini market at its delivery locations, where its regular members and the public can drop by to enjoy fresh produce and the unique crops they’re trying for the season.
Seeds to Greens, Rocky View, AB, 403-615-1518, seedstogreens.ca
Fisher Farms
Working with a number of other local producers, Fisher Farms’ share gives you options and the flexibility to customize your delivery. From proteins to vegetables to fruit, Fisher Farms wants to support those who invest in their goods by offering several package options. Your package can include veggies like broccoli and spaghetti squash, herbs, proteins like beef, chicken and pork, and seasonal fruit from BC, depending on your preferences.
Fisher Farms, Didsbury, AB, 403-586-3474, fisherfarms.net
Noble Gardens
Running for 16 weeks beginning in mid-June, Noble Gardens’ share includes a wide variety of vegetables including cabbage, corn, pak choi and pumpkins. Sign up for the standard share, or opt to customize your order with the voucher program depending on what you want. This year, Noble Gardens is partnering with Apple Lady from BC to bring its members juicy, delicious apples. Egg shares will also be available.
Noble Gardens, Nobleford, AB, 403-393-2059, noblegardenscsa.com
Visit each individual farm’s website for more information on specific sign-up and delivery dates, locations and pricing.