Join a CSA Today

How Community Supported Agriculture connects food, land and people

By Monica Parpal Stockbridge

Around this time of year, people start getting excited about CSA shares. CSA stands for “community-supported agriculture,” and usually refers to programs connecting people with regular orders of fresh produce, meat or other foods grown by local farmers. But what exactly does it mean to be part of a CSA, and how does it work? 

Photo: courtesy Monroe Organic Farms

Rather than shopping the organic section of the grocery store, or even picking up food from a farmer’s market, CSA shares give people the chance to participate in the local region’s growing season. CSA members often pay a membership fee as well as a fee for their actual share of food, picking up weekly or monthly bags or boxes of fruits and vegetables based on seasonality and region.

Jacquie and Jerry Monroe run Monroe Organic Farm’s CSA, which the family started in 1993 on their Northern Colorado farmland. Community members who participate in a CSA have access to fresher food and a closer relationship with the people who grow it, Jacquie says.

“You have direct contact with a farm, you know exactly where your food is coming from, you know exactly who grew it, you know how long it’s traveled,” she says. Plus, the food is often picked within 24 hours of CSA members receiving it. “It’s just so much better for you.” 

Early June through September is usually prime-time for Colorado CSAs, when produce is plentiful and members can watch the seasons shift through the lens of the food they receive. Members can usually choose a share size, whether for two people or a whole family. Shares are often distributed by the farm to pick-up locations in urban areas, or CSA members may need to drive to pick up their shares.

 CSAs benefit the farmers as well, Jacquie says. 

“A CSA gives farmers a greater opportunity to connect with their customers and share their philosophy.” The Monroe Organic Farm thrives off their CSA program because they sell those shares upfront, starting in January before the growing season begins. With a CSA, “nothing goes to waste,” Jacquie says. “Everything is accounted for,” either by being sold as CSA shares, selling a portion of their harvest to restaurants and at farmers’ markets, or by donating to hungry families. 

Photo: courtesy Monroe Organic Farms

“We just feel that this is an important part of what community-supported agriculture is about – the community supporting the farm so we can stay in business, but it’s also the farm supporting the community,” Jacquie says.

Ready to sign up for a CSA this summer?
Here are five options to consider: 

Monroe Organic Farm

The Monroe family has operated its farm on the same land in Northern Colorado since 1936, although the founding Monroe patriarch started growing and selling vegetables in 1925. Today, Jerry and Jacquie Monroe, along with their son Kyle, operate Monroe Organic Farm, which occupies nearly 200 acres of vegetables, alfalfa and pasture land. They launched their CSA in 1993, and today it’s a thriving part of their farm business. Choose from single, half or full shares, with options to add on Western slope fruit, local honey, olive oil or meat from hogs or lambs. Pick up your share weekly from one of over 25 volunteer distribution centers throughout the Denver and Boulder metro areas. monroefarm.com

McCauley Family Farm

McCauley Family Farm is a regenerative farm established in 2012 on 40 acres in Boulder County. The farm hosts special events and farm dinners, runs a volunteer program, and offers a variety of classes such as mindful animal slaughter and permaculture. Owner Marcus McCauley runs a year-round CSA focused on chicken, lamb, and pork shares with both pick-up and delivery options available each month in Boulder, Longmont and Denver. Fromourfarm.org 

Cure Organic Farm

Cure Organic Farm has operated on 15 acres of farmland east of Boulder since 2005, and grows over 100 varieties of vegetables, herbs and flowers. Cure’s traditional CSA offers three levels and caters to members within 50 miles of the farm, with optional add-ons such as fruit, wine and cheese, eggs, bread, coffee, and flowers. Cure also offers a CSA Card Share, like a gift card to use for shopping at the Saturday Boulder Farmer’s Market or at Cure’s own farm stand. cureorganicfarm.com

Frost Farm and Livestock

Located in Fountain, Frost Farm and Livestock dates back to 1958 and now operates in their fourth generation of ranching. The Frost family grows and sells root vegetables, leafy greens and a variety of other produce, as well as honey, farm eggs and grass-fed beef and lamb. Choose from weekly or bi-weekly shares for pick-up on the farm. frost-livestock.com/produce-honey

Photo: Chatfield Farms CSA

Chatfield Botanic Gardens CSA

Chatfield Farms, part of Denver Botanic Gardens, launched its CSA program in 2010. This 700-acre nature preserve and farm supports 270 subscriber families with fresh, local produce from May through October, with add-on options for fruit, mushrooms, eggs and meat. Chatfield’s CSA is sold out for 2020, but keep an eye out for their roving farm stand truck, which provides families easy access to fresh vegetables throughout Denver neighborhoods. chatfieldCSA.org

Ela Family Farms

Ela Family Farms, located Hotchkiss, is a fourth-generation orchard growing more than 55 varieties of organic tree fruits, such as cherries, peaches, pears, plums and apples. Choose from over 25 pick up sites along the Front Range, with share options organized by early season, peak season, or canning season. They also sell artisanal organic jams and jellies, fruit butters, cider and more, all from fruit grown on the farm. 
Elafamilyfarms.com

Monica Parpal Stockbridge writes about food, travel and technology in Colorado and beyond. Read more of her work at monicastockbridge.com.