CSA Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a CSA?
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) helps keep a family farm in business while providing citizens with nourishing food that supports the local economy. That’s the long answer. The short one is: A CSA puts the “culture” back in agriculture. A CSA connects a community to their food and to each other. Members join the farm for a variety of reasons: to improve their health, to cook with the highest quality, best tasting food, to experience a farm, to protect farm land from development, to find like-minded friends, to introduce children to nature. But what all members share by joining a CSA is that they are supporting their neighborhood farm, economically and emotionally.
To learn more about CSAs, read “Sharing the Harvest, A Citizen’s Guide to Community Supported Agriculture,” by Elizabeth Henderson, the farmer who introduced the CSA concept to American farmers. There is a wealth of online info on CSAs as well.
2. What’s in a typical weekly share?
We seek to provide at least 8 to 10 different products; livepage.apple.com usually heirloom varieties bursting with flavor. And because these varieties are delicate and are not grown for shipping, you won’t find them in most stores. We guarantee you’ll be amazed at the difference between our vegetables and store-bought varieties.
3. What crops will Green Gate offer in the spring?
The season begins with goodies like green beans, cucumbers, summer squash, eggplant and okra and soon moves on to greens like spinach, arugula, kale and red mustard; delicacies like green garlic and baby Swiss chard; favorites like broccoli, cabbage, radishes, snow peas, green onions, turnips, and carrots.
In the spring, the season ramps up with potatoes, kohlrabi, peas, beets, and leeks. By late May, you’ll be awash in cucumbers, summer squash, beans, and the first of the nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant). We include a harvest calendar, based on Travis County Planting Calendars, in our weekly newsletter to help you plan menus.
Fresh eggs, homemade bread, milk, cheese and other local products are available for purchase as we can get them. Meat comes from our friends at Richardson Farms. Come shop at our Big Red Barn on Tuesdays, 4-7, Fridays, 12-2, 4-7; Saturdays, 10-2. (Farm Shop Location: 8310 Canoga Ave, Austin, TX 78724, off Decker Lane + E. MLK) Note: Our farm stand at FM 969 is closed for the fall so the soil can rest.
4. What are the costs, schedules?
Our fall CSA is 10 weeks (September 23-Nov. 29). The cost is $35/week or $350 for the season. Pick-ups are at our farm on either Tuesday (4-7); Friday (12-2, 4-7) or Saturday (10-2) -- you choose the day that works best for you.
Our spring CSA is 20 weeks, from March until July. (Members can join for 10 weeks if they prefer; however, they can not be guaranteed a spot for the next 10 weeks given the high demand for membership.) Please complete our agreement (on the CSA page) and mail payment today to reserve your share!
5. What are the payment options? Why do you want money up front?
If making a lump sum payment is a hardship, please contact us to discuss an installment plan.
By paying the farmer in advance, you allow the farmers to purchase seed, hire staff and gather other materials necessary to start the growing season. This method provides some financial stability and lets the farmers focus on farming, rather than struggling to make ends meet until the harvest.
6. What if I cannot pick up my share?
Typically, neighbors and/or other CSA members pick up shares when a member can’t. Our directory of CSA members makes it easy to find someone to help. (Please note, that if you do not arrange an alternate your box will be forfeited.)
7. What if I don’t want something in my box? Can I exchange it?
We’ll have a swap box you can use at pick up.
8. I’m not sure if we can use that much food. Will you offer half shares?
Many of our members tell us they’re surprised at how much more produce they start using when they join the CSA. (It tastes that good!) We provide recipes each week so you may find you’re eating more than you imagined. That said, feel free to contact us if you’d like to split your share with another person. We’ll try to match you with someone else. And, though we don’t do the splitting, we’ll make an effort to provide an even number of produce so it’s easier for you to divide the goodies.
9. What if I get tired of a particular type of vegetable?
When you eat in season, it’s inevitable that you will tire of something. (By November, we couldn’t look at another tomato.) That’s why we have weekly recipes to inspire you.
10. What else do I need to know?
Joining our CSA means you improve your health, strengthen the local economy and preserve green space. We strongly encourage you to participate in the farm, whether it’s walking the fields, introducing your children to the goats, pigs, chickens, peacocks and other animals or attending our workshops, picnics and Slow Food Feast Fundraiser (held in May).
Eating in season is a new experience for most of us. A CSA means you give up some control over your shopping experience, but we’re certain that the food, friends and fun will more than make up for this.
We look forward to you joining us!
