What is a CSA?

Community-supported/shared agriculture (CSA) is an alternative model of purchasing local farm products. CSA members pay at the beginning of the growing season for a share, and in return, receive a weekly harvest box, typically equalling a set value per week.

CSA programs offer an opportunity for you, the customer, to support your local urban farmer by providing economic support at the beginning of the season, when there are many expenses and few sources of revenue for a farmer. CSA members also share in the ups and downs of farming, and usually become some of the most steadfast supporters of their farmer.

What are the benefits for members?

Depending on the farm, CSA members will receive a weekly harvest box for 16-22 weeks during the spring/summer/fall – each farm chooses the start and end dates of their program. Shares vary from $16-$37 per week (payable at the beginning of the season), and amounts vary from enough for one person to enough to feed a family of four. Prices are usually reflective of what you would pay at market, minus a 5-10% discount or more.
It is important to choose your CSA program based on your needs:

• Where is the pickup location? Is it convenient? Or is a delivery option necessary for you?
• What day is the pickup? Are you available on that day? It may be difficult to get your veggies if you aren’t able to pick up at the same time each week.
• How big of a box do you want? How many veggies do you eat in your family?
• What kind of products do you want? While most CSA programs are mixed veggies, some are mainly salad greens, and others offer add-ons such as eggs, meat, flowers, canned goods.

Where are CSA pick up locations?

Note: Categorizations below are loosely based on where farms are primarily situated but many farms have aspects of their operations in many different parts of Vancouver / Metro Vancouver. If you are an urban farm in Metro Vancouver and would like to be listed here, contact us.

East Vancouver

City Beet Farm
Pick Up: Federal Store (10th & Quebec)

Cropthorne Farm
Pick Up: Main Street Farmers Market

Earth Apple Farm
Pick Up: Pasture to Plate (Commercial Drive), Trout Lake Farmers Market, Riley Park TBD

Fresh Roots Urban Farm Society
Pick Up: Home on the Range Organics, Italian Cultural Centre, Main Street Farmers Market, Norquay Park

Sole Food Street Farms
Pick Up: Olympic Village

Sweet Digz Farm
Pick Up: Mount Pleasant, Strathcona, Commercial, Hastings-Sunrise

The Sharing Farm
Pick Up: Hastings-Sunrise (2928 East Georgia Street)

Westside

Cropthorne Farm
Pick Up: Kitsilano Farmers Market

Frisch Farms
Produce grown in Kitsilano and Dunbar, CSA delivered to your door

Sweet Digz Farm
Kitsilano (Balaclava Street and 5th Avenue)

UBC Farm
Pick up: UBC Farm

South Vancouver

Farmers on 57th
Pick Up: Marpole/Oakridge (57th Avenue and Heather Street)

Fresh Roots Urban Farm Society
Pick Up: David Thompson Secondary

Downtown Vancouver

Brave Child Farm
Pick-up: Hua Foundation (188 East Pender, Chinatown)

Earthwise Society
Pick up: Chill Winston (3 Alexander Street, Gastown)

Metro Vancouver

Cropthorne Farm
Pick Up: Tsawwassen, Ladner

Earth Apple Farm
Pick up: Port Moody, Langley

Earthwise Society
Pick up: Boundary Bay

Sweet Digz Farm
Richmond (home delivery available within Richmond)

Seed of Life Farm
Pick up: South Burnaby (home delivery available for a fee)

The Sharing Farm
Pick Up: 2771 Westminster Hwy., Richmond

Delivery

Frisch Farms
Produce CSA delivered to your door

Sky Harvest
Microgreens delivery through Spud