How it works

Community shared agriculture (CSA) is a partnership between a local farm and consumers. Consumers become partners with a farm when they buy a share of the harvest at the beginning of the season. They then receive their weekly share of organic fruits and vegetables during the season. It is a way for consumers to get closer to their food source as they are invited to visit the farm and even to participate in activities on the farm.

By buying directly from the farm, partners receive organic products at a fair price. They receive diverse fresh high quality products, directly from the producer. Not only do they enjoy fresh organic produce at a fair price, they are also choosing to help the environment and improve their health. Additionnally, pre-paid shares help farmers pay for the high begining-of- season expenses before their first harvest and also allow them to receive a fair price for their goods.

The fruits and vegetables that make up the weekly share are chosen by the farmer and vary according to season and basket size. It is possible for you to exchange a maximum of 2 products for other fresh fruits or vegetables from the farm when you pick up your share. An exchange box is available at the drop-off point

Basket summer/fall season: from early June to early December.

• The small basket generally contains 7 to 11 varieties while the large basket generally contains 10 to 13 varieties of seasonal fruits or vegetables each week.

Basket winter season: from mid-February to early April.

Only one size that will contain approximately 7 to 9 varieties of vegetables each week:

• Storage vegetables( roots, cabbage, squash, onions, garlic, etc.)
• Processed products
• Apples
• Greenhouse products (spinach, mesclun, etc.)
• Sprouts

Example of a basket of July and August:

Example of a small basket (August):

Example of a large basket (July):

Example of a basket for November and December:

Example of a small basket (November):

Example of a large basket (November):

Roles and responsibilities of Ferme aux pleines saveurs and its partners

Ferme aux pleines saveurs:

• Choosing the content of the weekly basket
• Growing a variety of high quality and fresh organic fruits and vegetables ;
• Inform of our capacity and limits regarding the availability of fruits and vegetables ;
• Be open to constructive criticism, questions, suggestions, etc. ;
• To clearly inform our partners of the place and time for picking up their share of the harvest. 


Partners:

• Adapting their menus to the availability of locally produced vegetables
• Be ready to experience Community supported agriculture as a new way to get their supply of fruits and 
vegetables and to deal with its pros (including discovery of new products and human relationships and cons);
• To communicate directly to the farmers any suggestions, questions, comments and discuss with them to find solutions ;

• To respect the place and time established for the delivery and picking of their share and to respect the work of their farmers.

Example of Winter basket