What is CSA? Community Supported / Community Shared Agriculture
CSA stands for "Community Supported Agriculture" or "Community Shared Agriculture". The idea of a CSA farm is that members pay in advance for a seasonal vegetable box subscription, then receive a fair share of vegetables each week over the growing season (usually mid-June to early October). CSA members "invest" in the farm at the start of the season when our expenses are the highest, and reap the benefits of the harvest for the rest of the season. Members get to live along with the life of the farm by sharing in each vegetable as it comes into season. Every season offers an opportunity to learn more about where your food comes from, how it's grown, and what's in season from a local farm.
Our produce is different from what you will find at the grocery store. It is not "perfect", you may see holes in some leaves or find dirt left on the carrots or potatoes. The vegetables tell stories of our farm and the particular growing conditions we are dealing with. Our produce is extremely fresh, harvested by hand within 24 hours of getting to your plate! You will discover unique vegetable varieties and heirloom flavours you may never had tried before, as well as lots of standard favourites. Each week we include a checklist to let you know what is in your share, and also send out newsletters with recipes and storage tips to help you make the most of your veggies!
Our produce is different from what you will find at the grocery store. It is not "perfect", you may see holes in some leaves or find dirt left on the carrots or potatoes. The vegetables tell stories of our farm and the particular growing conditions we are dealing with. Our produce is extremely fresh, harvested by hand within 24 hours of getting to your plate! You will discover unique vegetable varieties and heirloom flavours you may never had tried before, as well as lots of standard favourites. Each week we include a checklist to let you know what is in your share, and also send out newsletters with recipes and storage tips to help you make the most of your veggies!
What are the benefits of joining a CSA?
- extremely fresh produce, usually picked the morning of delivery
- hyper local food that allows you to lower your carbon footprint because of reduced food miles
- less plastic & packaging than store-bought produce usually has
- the chance to experience the beautiful variety of what can be grown in Manitoba
- supporting a small family farm and having a relationship to "your farmer"
- visits to the farm throughout the season with tours, workshops, farm dinners, events
- the chance to try new varieties of interesting vegetables like heirlooms, unique colours and flavours
- the opportunity to build community with other like-minded people who also love local food & farms
What does "ecologically grown" mean? Is the produce organic?
We are not certified organic but instead build a direct relationship with our customers so you can learn how we grow first-hand. We use organic methods and practices, and strive to go beyond Canadian organic standards. We do not use any chemical sprays, pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. We use only organic and non-GMO seeds and soil mixes. For us, ecological growing also means reducing plastic and striving to be a zero-waste business, adding composts, cover crops and natural mulches to build the soil health, encouraging pollinators, creating diverse habitat for birds and wildlife, tending the land carefully, preventing soil erosion, protecting the waterways, conserving water, preserving our ecosystems on and around the farmstead. You are welcome to come visit our farmstead to see how we grow here. Read more about our ecological farming here.
What size share is right for me?
SMALL SHARES - 6-8 items/week
These are a good size for households with 1-2 eaters, households that have their own garden but want additional vegetables, or people new to CSA wanting to try it out.
LARGE SHARES - 8-10 items/week
These contain larger quantities of veggies and sometimes greater variety than the small shares. They are a good size for households of 2-4 eaters, or smaller households who cook fresh every day and/or eat a plant-based diet.
If you think the shares will be too much food, consider sharing with a friend or neighbour. At this point we are only offering two box sizes.
These are a good size for households with 1-2 eaters, households that have their own garden but want additional vegetables, or people new to CSA wanting to try it out.
LARGE SHARES - 8-10 items/week
These contain larger quantities of veggies and sometimes greater variety than the small shares. They are a good size for households of 2-4 eaters, or smaller households who cook fresh every day and/or eat a plant-based diet.
If you think the shares will be too much food, consider sharing with a friend or neighbour. At this point we are only offering two box sizes.
What types of vegetables will be in the boxes?
We aim to grow a rainbow of vegetables, and grow 40+ types of vegetables. We also grow lots of culinary herbs, medicinal/tea herbs, cut flowers and some berries/fruit. Keep in mind that some seasons certain crops may not do well, whereas others will thrive. As a CSA member you commit to living along with the cycles of this farm and what we have to offer as the season moves along.
Examples of what you could expect:
June - peas, radish, spring turnips, lettuces, salad mixes, spinach, chard, kale, culinary herbs, spring onions, bok choy
July & August - garlic scapes, carrots, beets, beans, cucumbers, lettuces, cherry tomatoes, slicing tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, chard, garlic, corn
September - carrots, beets, beans, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, cured garlic, chard, kale, lettuce, onions, culinary herbs
October - carrots, beets, winter radish, dry beans, chard, kale, new potatoes, garlic, onions, shallots, pumpkins, winter squash, cabbages, parsnip
We grow many familiar items, and some that may not be so familiar (e.g. heirloom varieties, unique colours etc). We provide a weekly newsletter with recipe ideas to help you use your vegetables.
We don't grow a lot of bulk storage vegetables (e.g. carrots, beets, potatoes, onions) because we don't have a large enough storage facility to keep them. There are other great local farms that have the ability to grow these for you and we are happy to direct you there. We are working on collaboration with other local ecological farms in order to bring you a greater variety of storage crops at the end of the season.
In 2022 we started a small orchard of perennial crops like asparagus, rhubarb, raspberries, sea buckthorn, black currants, aronia, haskaps, highbush cranberries, grapes, hardy kiwi, and tree fruits (apples, pears, plums, cherries, hazelnuts, apricot, and hardy figs). We look forward to offering these in coming years to our CSA members. We have wild saskatoons, wild plums, and chokecherries growing on the farm, and may be able to offer these to members who are interested.
Examples of what you could expect:
June - peas, radish, spring turnips, lettuces, salad mixes, spinach, chard, kale, culinary herbs, spring onions, bok choy
July & August - garlic scapes, carrots, beets, beans, cucumbers, lettuces, cherry tomatoes, slicing tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, chard, garlic, corn
September - carrots, beets, beans, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, cured garlic, chard, kale, lettuce, onions, culinary herbs
October - carrots, beets, winter radish, dry beans, chard, kale, new potatoes, garlic, onions, shallots, pumpkins, winter squash, cabbages, parsnip
We grow many familiar items, and some that may not be so familiar (e.g. heirloom varieties, unique colours etc). We provide a weekly newsletter with recipe ideas to help you use your vegetables.
We don't grow a lot of bulk storage vegetables (e.g. carrots, beets, potatoes, onions) because we don't have a large enough storage facility to keep them. There are other great local farms that have the ability to grow these for you and we are happy to direct you there. We are working on collaboration with other local ecological farms in order to bring you a greater variety of storage crops at the end of the season.
In 2022 we started a small orchard of perennial crops like asparagus, rhubarb, raspberries, sea buckthorn, black currants, aronia, haskaps, highbush cranberries, grapes, hardy kiwi, and tree fruits (apples, pears, plums, cherries, hazelnuts, apricot, and hardy figs). We look forward to offering these in coming years to our CSA members. We have wild saskatoons, wild plums, and chokecherries growing on the farm, and may be able to offer these to members who are interested.
How fresh is the produce in a CSA box?
CSA shares are packed to order, meaning we pack only what our members have ordered each week. This minimizes food waste, and allows the produce to be as fresh as possible. We pick our produce and herbs when they are at their peak, by hand and in small batches, again to ensure ripeness and freshness. Usually we harvest on the morning of delivery (or within 24 hours of delivery), meaning produce is much fresher than what you get in a grocery store. Produce is stored in our cooler until pick-up/delivery.
Where can I pick up the CSA boxes locally?
We have local on-farm pick up on Friday afternoons from 4-6 pm. Our farm is located at 44041 PR 210 Road, Ste Anne. Please bring your own bags/boxes/cooler to pack your veggies in for taking home.
How does CSA delivery work in Winnipeg?
For 2025 we will have a weekly pick-up location in St Boniface, on Tuesdays from 5-6 pm. Please bring your own bags/boxes/coolers to pack your veggies in for taking home. We will supply the pick-up address once you register.
If pick-up in St Boniface doesn't work for you, we also offer home delivery on Tuesday afternoons to the south part of Winnipeg for a small delivery fee. Please inquire if you are interested in home delivery. For home delivery we drop off your veggies in a pre-arranged secure and shady/cool area (e.g. your porch, your garage, etc). You leave out a cooler and ice pack and we leave your veggies in your cooler.
If pick-up in St Boniface doesn't work for you, we also offer home delivery on Tuesday afternoons to the south part of Winnipeg for a small delivery fee. Please inquire if you are interested in home delivery. For home delivery we drop off your veggies in a pre-arranged secure and shady/cool area (e.g. your porch, your garage, etc). You leave out a cooler and ice pack and we leave your veggies in your cooler.
What happens if I forget to pick up my box? Can someone pick up for me?
Members are expected to pick up their box each week during the pre-arranged pick-up hours. We cannot hold your boxes for you after the pick-up time. Any boxes not picked up will be donated to a local food program or food bank. If you know you are going to be away during the pick-up time, you are most welcome to send another friend or family members to pick up your box. We can't hold your vegetables for you if you forget to pick up your share during the arranged time.
Are there any choices or is the box pre-packed?
CSA shares are pre-packed with a set amount of food value. However, at our Friday farm pick-up there will be a "choice" table with some options, or a place to trade in items you don't need. You can add on extra veggies to your box through our online farm store (e.g. bulk basil, extra tomatoes, cucumbers for pickling etc). The online farm store also has jams, preserves, sourdough breads, pies, herbal tea and more, so you can add on and customize what you need for every given week. ORDER BY SUNDAY EVENING for the following week.
What are the CSA dates for 2025?
The Fresh Veggie Box CSA for 2025 will run for 17 weeks, from mid-June to mid-October. Specific start date will be emailed to all members.
How does payment work?
We require a non-refundable deposit of $100 to hold your spot at time of registration, by May 1, 2025 at the latest. The rest of the CSA payment can be made in one installment (by May 1, 2025) or two installments, by May 1, 2025 and July 1, 2025. Payment for the balance of your CSA share is preferred by etransfer, cash or cheque. More details to be provided at time of registration.
I can't afford a box right now by would love to join. Are there other options?
In 2024 we started a Community Fund Pay-It-Forward donation program. CSA members have the opportunity to contribute donations toward this community fund which is specifically for making subsidized shares available to members of our community who are facing food insecurity. If you want to inquire about receiving a subsidized share for yourself or someone you know, please contact us at: [email protected]
How are the veggies packaged?
We try to minimize waste and try hard to avoid plastic in all our packaging. We mainly leave produce unwrapped, and often unwashed (or lightly washed) to preserve freshness. We have paper bags and compostable bags, as well as compostable plant-based clamshells (which can be returned to us), and reusable glass jars for certain items. For our local Friday pick-ups we ask that all members bring their own bags or coolers to take home your produce. We hope to offer cloth produce bags as well, which can be washed and reused each week.
What do I need to bring to the CSA pick-ups?
Please remember to bring bags or coolers/boxes to bring your produce home each week. You may also want to bring smaller produce bags to transfer pints of smaller items. Occasionally we will have extras for sale at the pick up, especially if you attend a farm tour or farm pick-up. Cash is always appreciated for those purchases, but we can also take credit card.
Will there be opportunities to visit Swallowtail Farmstead?
Yes! If you are picking up your share locally then we will see you every Friday! We host at least one Open Farm Day for CSA members during the season. We would love to organize a farm dinner if there is enough interest from CSA members! We are hoping to find time for building a wood-fired outdoor oven to host pizza dinners for CSA members. There are opportunities for farm workshops, as well as work bees/volunteer projects. Remember that CSA members get 10% off all our classes and events. Once you register for the CSA, you will receive a weekly newsletter with more details about farm events.
I still have questions! Can you answer them?
Yes, of course! For more questions please contact Karin at: hello(at)swallowtailfarmstead.ca