So you want to join a CSA? We are now so very fortunate to have lots of options for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in and around the St. Louis area. The number of CSAs has more than doubled in the last five years. If you aren’t familiar with the CSA relationship, here is some quick info to get you started on your way to receiving fresh, healthy, and seasonal food from local farmers.
CSA (Community Supported Agriculture): the consumer purchases a “share” of the harvest for a growing season directly from a farm. This share is distributed to the consumer on a weekly (or bi-weekly) basis and typically includes produce and fruit but may also include eggs, flowers, and sometimes meat. We are starting to see more collaborative CSAs where a “share” may include a small percentage of items that your farmer sourced from additional farms. The consumer has a direct relationship with the farm they purchase a share in, offers the support directly to the farm, has the opportunity to typically visit the farm and even sometimes work on the farm.
CCSA (Combined Community Supported Agriculture): The consumer purchases a weekly or biweekly “share” from a middleman who sources from a multitude of local farmers and food producers. These shares may include everything from produce to meat to locally roasted coffee to eggs to value added products (sauces, jams, etc). Often, CCSAs have a number of options from vegetarian to paleo focused shares and the consumer can sometimes trade items out of a particular share for other items. This option offers consumers the most flexibility with the broadest range of items yet removes the consumer one step away from supporting the farmers directly. However, CCSAs often create events and opportunities for “share” holders to meet the producers and CCSA owners and employees maintain very close relationships to the producers they source from.
We know the majority of these farms and CCSAs and are aware that they all share a concern for sustainability. However, as with all of your food, you should conduct your own inquiries into the production practices of the food you consume. For a list of questions you should consider please review our Ask Before You Eat! brochure and filmds. The following list is in alphabetical order. As additional CSAs send us information, we will continue to update this list throughout the spring. Please contact valerie.valli@yahoo.com to have your CSA added or updated.
Name: Earthdance Farms
Food pick-up location: The Mueller Farm (Ferguson, MO)
Duration of CSA season: May through October
Products included in CSA: Vegetables
Accepting new members? Yes
Contact information: 314.521.1006 or Rachel@earthdancefarms.org
Anything else you would like us to know? Members are asked to contribute 4 volunteer hours per membership, per season, toward the success of the farm’s harvest or field work endeavors.
Name: Fair Shares
Food pick-up location: Kingshighway and Highway 44 (headquarters), Kirkwood, University City
Duration of CSA season: 11 months, April-March (no pick-ups in March)
Products included in CSA: Produce, Eggs, Meat, Chocolate, Coffee, Cheese, Bread, and many additional staples.
Accepting new members? Yes
Contact information: http://fairshares.org/contact
Anything else you would like us to know? Flexibility in weekly and bi-weekly as well as ability to trade some items in particular shares
Name: Frontwards Farm
Food pick-up location: Schlafly Farmers Market (Wed 4-7); On Farm (Fri p.m.); Carbondale (Sat a.m.)
Duration of CSA season: 30 weeks incl. one drop each Nov & Dec
Products included in CSA: Produce, Eggs, Herbs, Flowers (may add Poultry, Mushrooms, and/or Coffee)
Accepting new members? Yes
Contact information: 618.713.5016 or jason.frontwardsfarm@gmail.com. Sign up form available at: frontwardsfarm.blogspot.com
Anything else you would like us to know? Sustainably & ecologically raised. All share types/sizes include eggs.
Name: La Vista CSA
Food pick-up location: Godfrey, Illinois (the Farm) and Garden Heights Nursery in Richmond Heights; delivery available
Duration of CSA season: 27 weeks; Mid-May through November
Products included in CSA: Vegetables, Herbs, and Flowers
Accepting new members? Yes
Contact information: 618-467-2104 or crystal@lavistacsa.org, www.lavistacsa.org
Anything else you would like us to know? Weekly, bi-weekly, and chef (restaurant) shares are available. Shareholders are asked to volunteer three hours a month to support the “community” aspect of the garden.
Name: Liberty Farm
Food pick-up location: Affton, MO (Monday evening at the Farm) and Tower Grove Farmers’ Market (Saturday mornings), delivery also available in certain areas
Duration of CSA season: 26 weeks, May through November
Products included in CSA: Vegetables, Fruit & Herbs
Accepting new members? Yes
Contact information: 314-717-1155 or chris@liberty-farm.net
Anything else you would like us to know? Full and half shares available, “per week” options available also. Members have the option of U-Pick vegetables and fruits if they pick-up at the farm on Mondays.
Name: Local Chef StL
Food pick up location: Chesterfield, Weldon Spring, Manchester
Duration of season: May to November (24 weeks), full and half shares available
Products included in CSA: vegetables, fruits, pastured eggs, antibiotic free meats, hormone free dairy, Local Chef value added product
Accepting new members? Yes.
Contact information: Robert Uyemura at localchefstl@att.net
Anything else you would like us to know? The Local Chef CSA will use it’s network of small farmers and producers to offer
the “best of the best” in fresh, local products from the St. Louis area. Our boxes will contain not only produce, but a varied collection of
pastured meats, hormone-free dairy products, locally produced groceries AND our own unique kitchen creations and recipes!
Name: Local Harvest Grocery Store
Food pick-up location: Local Harvest Grocery Store (Tower Grove and Kirkwood locations)
Duration of CSA season: Year-Round
Products included in CSA: Produce, Eggs, Meat, Chocolate, Coffee, Cheese, Bread, and many additional staples.
Accepting new members? Yes
Contact information: 314.865.5260 (Tower Grove), 314.966.6566 (Kirkwood), or contact@localharvestgrocery.com
Anything else you would like us to know? Vegetarian, Omnivore, and Paleo shares available. Members receive 10% off all purchases of additional products made when you pick up your CSA box.
Name: Mac’s Local Buys Grocery Bag
Food pick-up location: Civil Life Brewery (South City)
Duration of season: Bi-weekly; May through October
Products included in subscription: Vegetables, Meat, Staples (Farm Fresh Eggs, Bread), and Treats.
Accepting new members? Yes
Contact information: 314.479.8155or macslocalbuys@gmail.com
Name: Maude’s Market
Food pick-up location: Maude’s Market (4219 Virginia Ave – 2 blocks east of Grand & just south of Meramec)
Duration of CSA season: Year-round, Seasonal 12-week pick-up, Monthly pick up. Pre-pay and week-to-week payment options.
Products included in CSA: Fruit, vegetables, meat, staples, and treats. Gluten-Free, Vegetarian, Vegetarian with Fish, and Pork-Free Shares available.
Accepting new members? Yes
Contact information: 314-353-4219, Info@MaudesMarket.com
Name: Our City Farm
CSA pick-up location: Central West End (the Farm), Tower Grove Farmer’s Market, delivery available
Duration of CSA season: 26 weeks; May through October
Products included in CSA: Heirloom Produce, Herbs, Pastured Poultry and Soy-Free Eggs
Accepting new members? Yes
Contact information: 314-282-5290 or www.ourcityfarm.com/contact
Anything else you would like us to know? Pastured Poultry available for purchase through CSA or at Tower Grove Farmer’s Market. Accepting reservations online: www.ourcityfarm.com/store/online-farm-store
Name: Riverbend Roots
Food pick-up locations: Headquarters in Alton, IL; and additional pick-up sites at Farmers’ Markets (Clayton, Webster Groves, Schlafly Bottleworks), Tower Grove, Webster Groves, University City, Brentwood/Ladue/Richmond Heights, Creve Coeur, Central West End, Kirkwood, Maplewood, Edwardsville
Duration of CSA season: 25 weeks; Mid-May through early November
Products included in CSA: A variety of fresh vegetables and herbs
Accepting new members? Yes
Contact information: 618-444-0567 or membership@riverbendroots.com
Anything else you would like us to know? Full, half, and individual shares available, every-other-week plan and shorter season plan available.
Name: Sandy Valley CSA
Food pick-up location: Pick up will be available at the farm on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 3843 Sandy Church Road, Hillsboro,
MO 63050 We are currently deciding on additional pick-up locations.
Duration of CSA season: Our CSA will run for 26 weeks starting in May.
Products included in CSA: Vegetables
Accepting new members? Yes
Contact information: Sandy Valley CSA, 3843 Sandy Church Road, Hillsboro, MO 63050, (636) 479-9506 Steve and Eva Christ / (636) 282-0598 Terry and Melinda Long. Please feel free to visit our website for more information, including our Membership Agreement. www.sandyvalleycsa.com.
Anything else you would like us to know?Full Shares are $910.00 ($35 per week) Half Shares are $455.00 ($17.50 per week).You
will be able to purchase these add on’s each week: naturally raised beef, farm fresh eggs, and homemade sweet bread. We will also be including tips and
recipes to help you take advantage of the seasonal vegetables, especially the unfamiliar ones that come with your share.
Name: Seeds of Hope Farm
Food pick-up location: Spanish Lake (the Farm), and additional pick-up sites in Overland and Bel-Ridge
Duration of CSA season: 28 weeks; mid May to late November
Products included in CSA: Organically grown vegetables
Accepting new members? Yes
Contact information: Gabriel Hahn, Farm Manager: 314-566-8643, or ghahn@caastlc.org
Anything else you would like us to know? A project of the Community Action Agency of St. Louis County, we increase access to affordable fresh produce through our unique tiered CSA program, bringing together members of all different economic backgrounds. Subsidized shares are available for low-income individuals. Alternate Shares are available for pick-up every other week. Work Share available. We host a monthly hands-on cooking experience and shared dinner for subscribers and friends, guided by Operation Food Search. Learn more at seedsofhopefarm.org and localharvest.org.
Name: Terripin Farms
Food pick-up location: O’Fallon, MO (across the street from Little Rascals Ball park)
Duration of CSA season: June through October
Products included in CSA: Vegetables
Accepting new members? Yes
Contact information: 217-440-4678 or terripinfarms@att.net
Name: Three Rivers Community Farm
Food pick-up location: Elsah, IL (the Farm); additional pick-up sites in Edwardsville, University City, Maplewood, and Tower Grove
Duration of CSA season: 26 weeks; Mid-May through November
Products included in CSA: Vegetables and herbs, eggs available for farm pick-up only
Accepting new members? Waiting list only
Contact information: 618-374-9470 or info@threeriverscommunityfarm.com
Anything else you would like us to know? Full and half shares available, shorter season plan available. Shares also include a variety of Pick-Your-Own (PYO) vegetables, herbs, and flowers; access to Three Rivers Farm’s 12 acres of land for recreational use (take a walk, nap, have a picnic, anytime!), The opportunity for your family to participate in educational programs and seasonal festivals.
Name: Vesterbrook Farm
Food pick-up location: Clarksville (the Farm); additional pick-sites in Benton Park/Soulard, Central West End, Fenton, University City, Clayton/Ladue, Kirkwood, Creve Coeur/ Chesterfield, Chesterfield/Ellisville, Ballwin, Town & Country, St. Peters/St. Charles, Troy/Winfield
Duration of CSA season: Year round
Products included in CSA: Vegetables, Fruit, Herbs, Meat, and Egg packages available.
Accepting new members? Yes
Contact information: 573-560-0871 or www.vesterbrookfarm.com/contact
Anything else you would like us to know? Discounts available for senior citizens, veterans, and single mothers, families with disabilities, homeschooling families, and university/seminary students.
Name: YellowTree Farm
Food pick-up location: Schlafly Farmers Market and Tower Grove Farmers’ Market
Duration of CSA season: May through October
Products included in CSA: Fruit, Vegetables, Herbs, Mushrooms, Eggs, and other local staples.
Accepting new members? Yes
Contact information: justin@yellowtreefarm.com
Anything else you would like us to know? Membership includes 10 shares to be used throughout the season.
Helpful cookbooks for CSA members:
The Farmer’s Kitchen: The Ultimate Guide to Enjoying Your CSA and Farmers’ Market Foods by Julia Shanks & Brett Gorhsgal
From Asparagus to Zucchini by the Madison Area CSA Coalition
