What is a CSA?

CSA stands for Community Shared Agriculture, or Community Supported Agriculture. Basically, shareholders pay a lump sum in the winter or spring – when farmers need cash for things like seeds, labor, and tools – and then receive a weekly share during the farm’s growing season. Becoming a CSA member may not be for everyone– shareholders are invested in the successes and failures of a farm. For instance, during the summer CSA season of 2023, the late, chilly spring combined with the cool, overcast summer, led to a bad year for winter squash, so CSA members did not receive any. However, that same year, those same conditions led to thriving head lettuce and cut greens, so CSA members received salad fixings every week.

Joining a CSA program is a great way to become connected to a local farm and to your food. As a CSA member, you can truly get to know your food, the practices that were used to grow your food, and the farmer who grew your food. As your farmers, we, Brandi Jo and Phoebe, will be held accountable by you, the shareholder. Our food will not come with labels, but will be grown in an ecological and sustainable way that brings you, the shareholder, nutritious, healthful, and delicious produce. Before becoming a shareholder, or purchasing any of our vegetables, please – ask us about our farming practices!

Due to unforseen circumstances involving land access issues and our propagation/seed starting space, we will not be offering a CSA for the 2025 season. We are fairly certain we’ll restart the CSA in 2026. Please, please continue to show your support for us by continuing to come to the market and shopping with us there.

CSA Size Options

Half Share $450

Broken down, this option equals about $28 per week, over the course of 16 weeks. The half share is designed for one to two people, or even a family that isn’t sure if they eat tons of veggies. Individuals or families with half shares can expect 5-7 items per week, including herbs.

Full Share $615

The full share is designed for a family of four or a couple that eats lots of veggies. In general, full shareholders can expect between 7 - 9 items in their CSA, including herbs. Compared to the half share, the full share gets additional items as well as a larger quantity of some. Broken down to a weekly basis, the full share averages at about $38.50 per week, over the course of 16 weeks.

CSA FAQ

Question: What is the benefit of getting a CSA Share?

A: By purchasing a CSA share, you are supporting a local farm and your own local economy. Not only are you getting fresh, naturally grown produce each week, but a bonus of CSA shares is that you generally receive more veggies than the dollar value.

Question: What will I get in my CSA share?

A: What you receive each week will depend on the time of the season and what’s abundant at the farm. During the first few weeks of the CSA, you can expect lots of spring greens and early season root veggies – arugula, spinach, mesclun mix, radishes, hakurei turnips, green onions, baby bok choi, and microgreens to name a few things. Once summer is in full swing, you can expect broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, snap peas, carrots, beets, cucumbers, head and baby leaf lettuce, cabbage, a variety of herbs, onions, and more! As the summer winds down, and fall begins to creep in, some of the same greens from the spring will reappear, leeks will make an appearance, root and tuber veggies like carrots and potatoes will be strongholds.

Question: What if I go out of town? What happens to my share?

A: Share your share! We are happy for you to have a friend or family member come pick up your share instead, so they can enjoy the bounty! If that’s not an option for us, please let us know ahead of time and we can most likely donate that week’s share to Alaska Family Health & Services women’s shelter.

Question: Where and how will I get my CSA share?

A: CSA share pick up will be done weekly at the Matanuska Community Farmers Market. The market is held on Wednesdays in downtown Palmer, in the parking lot of the United Protestant Church of 1,000 Trees (713 S Denali St.) and share pickup will run from 4:00 - 6:30pm. You will be responsible for bringing your own bag to pick up your share; if needed, we’ll have extra paper bags. We’ll also have super cool canvas bags for sale with our Sauntering Roots Farm logo.