Looking for local veggies this spring? Here’s how to join a CSA in Kansas City
Springtime is almost here, which means farmers and local producers will be bringing out the freshest goods in the Kansas City area soon enough.
If you are in the market for fresh, local produce, or you want to introduce your family to new, local and healthy options each week, you might want to find a local producer and join a Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, program.
CSAs fill up fast during this time of year and typically start the first week of May. After learning a bit more, you should consider signing up for one as soon as possible to secure your spot for the season.
What is a CSA?
Community Supported Agriculture is a cool tool where farms and neighboring residents can support each other by cutting out the middleman.
How it works: Residents purchase a share of a farm’s harvest and in turn receive fresh produce on a regular basis.
Most CSA programs require a customer to pay a flat fee to receive produce throughout the duration of the growing and harvest season, from May until fall but others last all year long.
Kristin Knight started joining CSAs after becoming passionate about where her food came from and where her dollar was being spent. Knight and her husband have 12 kids and currently live in Louisburg, Kansas. She said with such a large family, CSAs helped with money and gave her an opportunity to keep her dollar local.
“I started to connect with local farmers through farmer’s markets, farm tours, and then with CSAs. We joined two CSAs at first because of the size of our family—at that point we had 8 children (we now have 12). I figured that if I couldn’t have land of our own right away, I could at least support local farmers,” she said.
Farms with CSA programs will typically have a pick up day and time each week at a number of locations in the area. Depending on the farm or program, members of the CSA can enjoy fresh vegetables, dairy products, flowers, fermented foods and even meat.
Each week the share of food will be different
When Knight first signed up for a CSA, she reached out to Two Birds Farm and New Roots for Refugees, a collaboration between Cultivate KC and Catholic Charities which supports refugees and helps them start their own farms.
“You really need to have an adventurous spirit,” Knight said.
As the growing season progresses, the items you receive change as well. In May, You might see more herbs and leafy greens in your weekly pick-up while they are in season. Your September score might include more squash veggies.
“You have to be ready to take whatever comes your way,” Knight said. “When you see that beautiful cluster of fresh carrots, you have to narrow down quickly how you want to prepare it. When you receive an alien-looking kohlrabi and have no idea what it is or what to do with it, you suddenly do searches online and try to figure out how this new veggie fits into your life!”
Most CSA programs in the Kansas City area will have vegetables available, but cooperative CSA programs like Common Harvest CSA also have the option for customers to pick and choose add-on items like meats and cheeses for an additional fee.
How to pick the right CSA for you
There are three main things to keep in mind when trying to land on the right CSA program for you.
First, consider how long the CSA will run. Many will last the duration of the growing season, about 24 weeks between spring and fall. Other CSA programs may offer shorter or longer sessions to choose from.
Second, consider how much food comes with the share.You can often ask for a few examples of what a weekly share of food might look like and how much food will be included.
Lastly, consider the cost of the CSA share. Some programs are more expensive than others. Most CSA’s also have an option to pay for an entire season ahead of time, but most will allow you to pay in segments as well.
“You’re not just buying a commodity, you’re not just buying sort of a generic item of food, you’re buying something that you know where it came from,” Owner of Two Bird Farm Laura Christensen said. “You’re going to know that you’re supporting a farm that is contributing to local business, and employing local people and growing things in a way that you understand and hopefully approve of and want to support.”
Although Christensen’s own CSA program at Two Bird Farm is currently full, here’s a list of other CSAs in the Kansas City area and a quick look at how they differ.
Root for Refugees
How much does it cost for the season?
Early summer vegetable share runs from May 16 to July 25 at $24 per week.
Late summer vegetable share runs from Aug. 8 to Oct. 17 at $24 per week.
Full summer shares are available and come with one free week.
What kind of food to expect
Early in the season there will be vegetables like lettuce, carrots, green onions, garlic, herbs and beans and possibly tomatoes and peppers towards the end of early summer time frame. Late summer harvest will include vegetables like kale, collards, fennel, Chinese celery, sweet potatoes and more herbs, peppers and garlic. Check here to see more examples of food that could be included in your share.
How to sign up
Email newrootskc@gmail.com or sign up here.
Where to pick up
300 E 39th Street, Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
11401 Lamar Ave, Overland Park, Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
501 Minnesota Ave., Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
7947 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Common Harvest Farm CSA
How much does it cost for the season?
Session one is from May 11 to July 27 (12 weeks) at $25 per week.
Session two is from Aug. 10 to Oct. 26 (12 weeks)at $25 per week.
A full session is 24 weeks long.
What kind of food to expect
Each week the share will have five to seven vegetables. If you need more veggies you can opt to buy multiple shares per week. In the first session, customers may see spinach, strawberries, Chinese cabbage, kohlrabi and okra. By the end of the summer, customers will get squash edamame, tomatoes, beets and more. To see what else Common Harvest’s CSA will be offering this season, check here. Customers can also add on things like flowers, meat and fermented foods.
How to sign up
Email commonharvest@gmail.com or visit here to see their membership agreement to sign up.
Where to pick up
1551 N 1550 Rd, Lawrence, Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
75th and State line, Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Fairshare Farm CSA
How much does it cost for the season?
Fairshare farms offer jars of fermented foods for 12 months of the year for $124 for 12 distributions. The farm does offer a sliding scale for people who can afford slightly less or slightly more than $124. Foodshare is also accepted.
What kind of food to expect
Fermented foods included in this CSA can range from green kimchi, sauerkraut, cucumber pickles, hot sauce and more.
Where to pick up
6425 Wornall Rd, From April through October on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. During the winter months the pick-up will be available on select Saturdays at the same location from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
18613 Downing Rd, Kearney MO, available by appointment. Contact the farm in advance.
How to sign up
Visit Fairshare Farm CSA’s website to join.
Sacred Sun Farm
How much does it cost for a season?
Members sign up for 24 weeks from May until October at $20 dollars a share per week. There is also a $20 membership fee.
What kind of food to expect
Members can expect five to seven different veggies each week. The share can include items like carrots, green peas or a melon. Some weeks’ shares may also include jam, fresh milled corn grits and even wheat flour.
Where to pick
Residents in Lawrence may have their goods delivered weekly. Otherwise, there is a farm pick-up available on Fridays at 13184 31st St, Perry,KS from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and at Brookside Famer’s Market on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m..
How to sign up
Visit Sacred Sun Cooperative Farm’s website to sign up for their CSA.
Fruitful Hills CSA
How much does it cost for a season?
Fruitful Hills subscriptions last from May to October at $731.91 for a full share and $507.71 for a partial share. These prices are for the entire season.
What kind of food to expect
A full share can feed about four to five people, while a partial share can feed one to two people per week. Customers can also add on raw dairy, poultry, eggs, honey, pork and even lamb for an additional fee.
Where to pick up
800 Pacific St, Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
2727 NE 44th St, Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
5211 W. 65th Place, Prairie Village, Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
11721 Woodward St, Overland Park, Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
1513 E. Sunvale Terr, Olathe, Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
How to sign up
Customers can sign up for a share here or fill out this membership form and mail it to Aaron Eugene Martin at 21803 Berry Drive, Meadville, MO 64659.
More CSA’s available in the greater Kansas City area include:
620-632-4470
talkingtreeurbanfarm@gmail.com
Rolling Prairie Farmers Alliance
913-484-4753
816-457-1223
Do you have more questions about CSAs, how to be more sustainable or how to support small, local businesses around Kansas City? Or is there something that you wish more people in the community knew about? Let us know at kcq@kcstar.com or with the form below.