A Family Market Place
Farm Fresh Produce
Community Supported Agriculture
What is a CSA?
For over 35 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer.
Here are the basics:
A farmer offers a certain number of "shares" to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of fruits and vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a "membership" or a "subscription") at the beginning of the growing season and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the growing season. For more information please Google Community Supported Agriculture
Here is a list of crops that we offer to our shareholders over the course of the growing season.... if everything goes to plan:
Vegetables:
Acorn Squash, Arugula, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli,Brussel, Sprouts, Buttercup Squash, Butternut Squash, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Collards, Cucumbers, Egg Plant, Festival Squash, Garlic, Green Beans, Ground Cherries, Herbs – (Basil, Cilantro, Thyme, Oregano, and more), Hot Peppers – (Jalapeno, Habanero, Chili, Long Slim Red Hot), Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce – (Leaf, Head), Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions – (Sweet Candy, Reds, Green Table, Wala-Wala), Peas – (Sugar Snap, Snow), Peppers – (Green, Sweet Yellows, Sweet Reds, Anaheim, Gypsy), Pie Pumpkins, Potatoes – (Yukon Gold, Russet, New, Reds, Kennebec), Radishes, Salad Greens, Spinach, Summer Squash, Sweet Corn, , Sweet Potatoes, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Turnips, Winter Squash, Zucchini
Fruits:
Apples, Rhubarb, Cantaloupe, Blueberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Watermelon, Pears
Brief Overview of Our Subscription
For the 2023 produce season, A Family Market Place is offering several CSA Share size options to match any size appetite. We have three sizes of shares available to fit any size of family.
The traditional CSA model has one short-coming, if the farm has poor yielding crop during a given season due to drought, hail, pest infestation, etc. the entire group of shareholders lose out a portion of paid value. A new more ‘modern’ model has been emerging in recent years, known as a Multi-Farm CSA it is designed to drastically reduce the risk of crop loss or shortened season. A Family Market Place operates on a Multi-Farm CSA concept, translating into complete customer satisfaction. Our farm, A Family Market Place, is now entering 11 years of experience.
Last year we included over 50 varieties of produce in CSA Shares, the earliest producer is Radishes during springtime and we round out our season late in October with Pumpkins, Squash, and storage crops. As mentioned, we have a handful of select local growers that we use to augment our supply and selection of only the freshest locally grown produce.
While some of our products are grown/raised on our Waterloo farm, we do utilize a handful of select specialized growers to provide our customers with an incredibly diverse selection of farm fresh products. ALL of our products are proudly grown in IOWA and 95% of which is direct from farms located in the Cedar Valley!!
Buy Fresh, Buy Local
How much food comes each week?
A question that is asked frequently. Our CSA shares come in a food-grade waxed box; the box holds 1/2 of a bushel of food (please see the picture to the right side of this page, this is a photo of the waxed boxes that we use). A single share receives a minimum 1 box, a small family share receives a minimum of 2 boxes, and a large family share receives a minimum of 4 boxes. Each box is packed with the same mix of the freshest seasonal produce. So the small family and large family shares receive the same variety of food that the single share receives, but receives double and quadruple the quantity respectively.
In reality you will receive more than the minimum. In most years, well over half of the season shareholders received more than the minimum. We recognize that our CSA shareholders are making an upfront investment into our farm, with that in mind we make it a goal to reward shareholders with extra food as a 'kickback' of sorts as our way of saying thanks!! Many of our past shareholders have stated that when the "excess" food comes, they use their normal amount to cook for the week, and then with the excess they will can or freeze it so their family can enjoy during the winter months. There is nothing like the taste of summer during the cold months of winter.
Size of your Subscription:
$30 / Week - Single Share (Minimum of 1/2 Bushel -- Feeds 1 to 3 Adults) --- Most Popular Size
$50/ Week - Small Family Share (Minimum of Full Bushel --Feeds 3 to 6 Adults) --- Great for Families that like to Can/Freeze
$100 / Week - Large Family Share (Minimum of 2 Full Bushel -- Feeds 6 to 9 Adults)
Duration of Subscription:
Full Season - 20 Weeks - Target Start Date is June 15th (weather plays a role here; give or take a week). We will communicate with CSA Subscription members as June approaches with a more specific date.
Half Season - 10 Weeks - July 13th to September 14th
Pick-up/Delivery Locations: CSA Share Pick-up is Every Thursday:
For Waterloo/Cedar Falls Area:
Our Farm: A Family Market Place (Noon to 7 PM)
Or
Home Delivery: Add $5/Week
Cedar Rapids Area - Home Delivery Only
Home Delivery: Add $5/Week
New Locations Welcome - contact us to set up
Payment Options:
Early Bird Discount - 10% Discount if Payment Received by March 20th !!!
Payment in Full: Due by April 30th
Two Payments: Due Dates April 30th & June 1st
Accepted Payments:
Checks – Make Payable to: A Family Market Place (Preferred Method)
Debit/Credit - Visa/MasterCard – Please call via phone to process payment
Ready to Sign-up?? Click Here
Prefer Paper Copies.........please send an email to chadrythomas@gmail.com or visit our promotional materials page to download and print.