2023 CSA Information and FAQ

 Coyote Song Farm & Forest’s 2023 CSA Membership Program

Community Supported or Shared Agriculture (CSA) is a system of small scale market garden farming that connects farmers and their community closely. People who chose to be involved in a CSA are usually highly committed to supporting a local small scale producer, who are keen to get to know the people who are growing their food and to learn more about where their food is coming from and to eat according to seasonal availability.  Members purchase a "share" of the farm's produce prior to the harvest season thus supporting the farmer at the time when seeds and other inputs are being purchased. Once the crops are ready, members receive a weekly share of the harvest. This model involves a shared risk for members and farmers, a hail storm or severe drought will impact yields.  But, it also includes rewards, a bumper crop of strawberries will result in extra berries in the weekly box!

We are excited to be headed into year two of our CSA program. Liz really enjoyed putting together weekly shares last year. To see the products of our hard work come together in boxes filled with food and flowers was kind of like putting together a vegetable version of a Christmas stocking each week!  CSA Membership allows us to develop a closer relationship with a small group of customers and helps us to plan crops and harvests. For the members there will be opportunities to learn more about the farm and where your food is grown and the certainty of receiving the freshest of produce grown locally according to organic practices for a pre-determined price. We enjoyed hosting some of our families at our farm stay glamping site last year and hope to have more visitors next year. We also hope to expand our CSA program in future with the possibility of different sizes or seasons of shares. For now though we wish to welcome a small group to help us build our farm and grow into our new roll as producers of local food and flowers.

 

How many weeks will I get  and when will it begin?

Our CSA membership will cover 16 weeks beginning June 23 in Guelph and June 24 in Toronto and ending Thanksgiving weekend, October 7 in Guelph and 8 in Toronto. 

When and how will I get my share?

Shares will be delivered to our Guelph customers on Friday afternoon between 4 and 6pm. Toronto members can pick up on Saturday mornings at the Artscape Wychwood Barns between 8am and 1pm or from Kafe Dáki at 226 Oakwood Ave. between 9am and 4pm.

 What if I am away one week and can't take delivery or pick up my share?

If you are unable to receive your delivery on a particular week due to being away on vacation or for some other reason you can choose to gift their box to a friend or donate that week’s share to people experiencing food insecurity. Coyote Song has developed a good relationship with the Beaton Cupboard food bank and will coordinate to have your share donated to them. One week notice will be required to ensure the alternate delivery plan can be arranged.

What will be in my share?

Typically early summer harvest is heavier on greens and as the season progresses variety increases as a more diverse selection of crops become ripe. For example, week 3 shares last year included kohlrabi, green garlic, green onions, carrots, Swiss chard, head lettuce, mixed greens, strawberries and dill. Week 7 shares included broccolini, onions, kale, beets, lettuce, zucchini, cucumbers cherry tomatoes (cherry and slicing), beans and potatoes. Early season shares may have a lower dollar value in the box but mid season our boxes are packed full of seasonal produce and make up for the lightness of the early season harvest. Every second week shares will include an arrangement of flowers. Shares can be upgraded to include weekly flower arrangements for an additional cost..

What does it cost?

This year our CSA Membership program we are offering a limited number of one size shares for a full season for $640. This works out to approximately $40/week. An upgrade to weekly flowers (from the standard biweekly) will cost an additional $100.

Are there other perks to membership?

CSA members will receive a 15% discount on farm-stay glamping bookings and on winter seasonal decor. We are also happy to have members come visit the farm and see where and how their food is being grown. Farm visits must be arranged ahead of time. 

How and when do I pay? 

The CSA model is designed to provide the farmer with capital for seeds and other materials needed during the winter and early spring season so timely payment is requested. With a limited number of shares available we recommend purchasing your share between January and April. Payment may be made by e-transfer to coyotesongfarmforest@gmail.com or by clicking the link here.