Produce Program (CSA)

Take a look at our CSA newsletters. We are a student organization at UW-Madison funded by ASM, our student government, so much of the produce grown in our garden is given back to the students for free. This is done in the form of harvest handouts on library mall, or to student volunteers who come out to the garden. Separate from that, we also run a small CSA, Community Supported Agriculture which is commonly known as our Produce Program. This is done with funds from previous years' CSA programs.

If you don't know what a CSA is, check out our first blog post titled "What's a CSA?" For 2009, our CSA was in partnership with our neighbors, the Eagle Heights community. This was only our second year of running a CSA, but it was a huge success! For 20 weeks we provided fresh, local, organic produce to 20 families at half the average price of a CSA share. We harvested every week on Thursdays, and shares were delivered that same day. Some participants came out to the garden to get their shares, while others picked them up at the Eagle Heights Community Center. What was in the produce boxes varied, depending on the season. We started out with lots of root veggies like turnips, radishes and beets, as well as lettuce and other leafy greens. In the fall, we had squash, potatoes and more greens! Somewhere in between come the ever-popular tomatoes, sweet peppers, and cucumbers, to name a few. We guaranteed that our produce shares were worth $12.50 of organic produce each week, but we set (and reached) our goal that each box be worth $25 - in other words, we gave participants twice as much as they payed for!

For 2010, we will again be working with the Eagle Heights community. One exciting change for next year will be a modification of our pick up system. All members will need to pick up directly from our garden, but they will no longer be just picking up their box and heading home. Members will have the change to select which items from our designated harvest they want. For example, if the shares include a head of lettuce and a squash, the member will be able to select which lettuce and which squash they want from the ones we have harvested for the Produce Program. There will also be a "Swap Box" where members can swap an item in their shares they do not like with one they will like better. In addition, we have raised the price of the shares to $275.00 for 20 weeks of produce. Each week will now cost $13.75, which is only an increase of $1.25 per week. While this is not something we wanted to do, we have found in necessary in order to run a successful, sustainable business. We enjoy running a CSA for many reasons, but the most important is the people. It's been a lot of fun to meet all of the different families who participated in our produce program. There was a great deal of ethnic diversity in our group this past year, and we all share a love for fresh, quality food! It's been exciting to learn more about the food preferences of people from different ethnic groups. I think all of the participants and workers have expanded their culinary skills and eating palates! Second, we are really glad to help educate people on sustainable farming practices. Growing food in harmony with the earth and other living organisms makes for a better food system. It is important to us to help connect people to the source of their food. Anyone is always welcome to come out to the garden to learn more. You don't have to have any gardening or farming knowledge. This year's CSA has gone wonderfully, and we look forward to another successful season next year!

Your feedback, questions, and comments are valued - please contact Kimberly Koch.