As spring approaches, time to sign up for local farms’ community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs is running out. Customers buy a seasonal share from an area farm of their choosing, and receive regular installments of fresh food. While most CSAs focus on vegetables, some provide fruit, herbs, meat and poultry, eggs, dairy, flowers, and other products. —Sam Worley
Fat Blossom Farm A 20-week vegetable CSA runs from June through October and includes herbs and edible flowers as the season progresses. Full shares are $550; half shares $300. Pickup locations are in Rogers Park and at Lush Wine and Spirits in the South Loop. 2086 20th, Allegan, Michigan, 269-870-5210, fatblossom.com.
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Genesis Growers Shares are available by both season and size, with prices running from spring medium ($250) to all-season large ($1,620 for spring, summer, and fall). The farm offers vegetables and fruits ranging from chard to pears, and sells weekly or biweekly egg shares separately. Pickup points are throughout Chicago and include two farmers’ markets: Green City and Oak Park. 8373 E. 3000 S Rd., Saint Anne, 815-953-1512, genesis-growers.com.
Harvest Moon Organics Located in western Wisconsin, Harvest Moon offers summer vegetable shares ($450-$695) that include as many “Ark” varieties—the endangered species of the edible world—as possible. Winter shares include potatoes, popcorn, squash, and eggs, and meat shares include grass-fed beef and free-range chickens. The latter are raised by a “slow growth” process that purportedly produces better meat. Pickup locations throughout Chicago. 3354 N. Paulina, suite 200, 773-472-7950, harvestmoonorganics.com.
Mike and Clare’s Farm A weekly share of vegetables, available from June 6 to October 17, is $495. Pickup is Sundays at the Logan Square Farmers’ Market. 2012 Stieg, Woodstock, 773-209-3987, mikeandclares.com.
Radical Root Farm Because co-owner Alison Parker is an herbalist as well as a farmer, Grayslake-based Radical Root grows and sells medicinal herbs along with seasonal vegetables. Only the latter, though, are included in the farm’s CSA, which is available for 20 weeks (June 13 to October 24) for $565. Pickup is on Sundays at the Logan Square Farmers’ Market. radicalrootfarm.com, radicalrootfarm@gmail.com.
Tomato Mountain Farm Vegetable and herb CSAs from Tomato Mountain are available in seasonal installments, with prices ranging from $200 for the fall small share to $900 for the full-season large (there’s a $100 discount on the latter for customers ordering before April 1). Pickup is on Tuesdays, with sites in Rogers Park and Evanston. N7720 Sandy Hook, Brooklyn, Wisconsin, 608-862-3446, tomatomountain.com.
