So, you'd like to join a C.S.A...
What is a C.S.A?
CSA stands for 'Community Supported Agriculture', and is based in the concept of mutually shared abundance. This means that at the beginning of the season a member buys a 'share' in the farmers yearly production. Each week the member is delivered their weekly portion of the harvest, which consists of a variety of just-picked, in season vegetables and herbs. Becoming a member of a CSA is making a seasonal commitment to local eating and to joining the growing community of people contributing to the bettering of our agriculture system, the protection of our water and soils and to the health of humans and wildlife alike.
What is 'certified organic'?
At Ferme Pleine Lune we maintain our organic certification through EcoCert Canada. This means that we are inspected yearly in order to ensure that we are growing according to the Canadian Organic Standards. Generally speaking, when you buy certified organic vegetables you can be sure that they are grown without the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides, without GMOs and with care for the health of natural systems, biodiversity, humans and animals.
How much does it cost?
Our summer shares include 16 weeks of fresh, flavourful and in-season vegetables and herbs, and a double share for the final pick-up. Our shares come in 3 sizes:
- Small Share, Bi-Weekly basket for 16 weeks: $365.00 ($431.00 if delivered)
- Regular Share, Weekly basket for 16 weeks: $680.00 ($812.00 if delivered)
- Large Share, Weekly basket for 16 weeks including an additional 50-60% of produce each week: $1015.00 ($1147.00 if delivered)
How do I make a payment?
We accept cash, cheque, credit cards, and e-mail money transfer.
- Cheques payable to 'Ferme Pleine Lune', send to: 94 chemin McCrank, Low, QC
- Email money to: fermepleinelune(at)gmail.com
- Deliver cash to us at the farm or to our market stall in Wakefield
When is my payment due?
You can pay in full at the time of sign up, or in three to five installments. Installments are due at sign up, and then on the first day of each month until the balance is zero.. We are open to establishing other payment plans with those in need, but please consider that most of our expenses on the farm happen in late winter and the income is most necessary early on.. We want to make the CSA model work for all income brackets, so please be considerate of our financial needs as well when requesting a payment plan.
Where and when do I pick up my basket?
The CSA will run from mid- to late- June thru mid-/late-October. We will give notice of the exact start date two weeks before in order to allow for any seasonal particularities that may change the start date.
We offer 6 pick up locations:
- -Ottawa, Hintonburg,45 Armstrong rd pick up Thursday 3:00 pm to 6pm
- Ottawa, Sandy Hill, 59 Blackburn ave: Thursday from 2:30 to 6:30 pm/Jeudi de 14:30h à 18:30h
- -Aylmer, 149 rue Principal (at 'Mulligan Cafe') pick up Wednesday 3:00pm to 6:00pm
- -Chelsea, pick up Wednesdays 3:00pm to 6:00pm
- -On Farm, 94 ch McCrank, Low, QC. Pick up Thursday 2pm to 7 pm
- Wakefield Farmer Market: Saturdays 9 am to 1 pm
- Or by home delivery!
You should allocate 10 to 15 minutes to complete your pick-up each week. Our baskets are delivered 'market style' which means you get to pick out your produce, and make choices about what you would like to take, or maybe trade. Some items are to be weighed or counted out by the member, other items are bunched.
You should plan to bring your own produce bags, and shopping bags/boxes.
What types of veggies should I expect?
Vegetables will be available fresh and in-season, which means that you will see a difference in what is available at each time of the year. Springtime brings greens, peas, garlic scapes and tender salad turnips. Early summer you will receive heads of lettuce, crunchy green beans, summer squash and juicy cucumbers (to name a few). Mid summer is when the real fun starts with beautiful, multi colored tomatoes, bell and hot peppers, decadent eggplants and lots of leafy greens. And finally, as Autumn approaches, your baskets will contain winter squash, potatoes, onions and all of the lovely root vegetables. And that's just the beginning...
What if I'm unsure how to use all of the veggies?
Most of what you will receive will be recognizable and familiar. Some items may come in different colors and shapes, but are most often prepared and cooked in the typical manner. You will also be sent a weekly newsletter which will give you recipes, cooking lessons and ideas about the veggies in your basket. In addition to the newsletters, you can choose to be added to our member-only facebook page where you can share your own recipes, experiences, photos and ideas with our other members.
How much food is in each basket?
Each week you will receive between 7 and 12 items. The springtime is usually on the lighter side, with boxes becoming bigger in late July through the end of the year. Here are a few examples of what to expect in a regular share:
June
I head broccoli
3 kohlrabi
1/3 lb salad mix
1 bunch green onions
1 lb peas
1/2lb spinach
1 bunch white salad turnips
1 bunch chard
1 bunch parsley
Free choice garlic scapes
August
1 head lettuce
2 lb tomatoes
2 summer squash
2 bell peppers
1 large, sweet onion
1 bulb garlic
1 bunch carrots
1/2lb braising greens
1 small watermelon
1 basil plant
1 bunch kale
Free choice dill & cilantro
Free choice hot peppers
October
1/3 lb arugula
1 bunch collards
1 cauliflower
1.5 lb beets
2 lb potatoes
3 leeks
1 bunch radish
1 butternut squash
1 garlic
free choice herbs (thyme, sage, rosemary)
free choice kale
What if it is too much?
If you find that a regular share will be too much food for you, you may want to try a bi-weekly share, although we cannot downsize shares mid season. We also allow share-splitting if you have a buddy who would also like a minimal weekly amount. All organization of splitting is up to the members, and there are a few special rules to follow in that case.
What if it isn't enough?
If you find that you need even more veggies in your diet, we can try to accommodate a share upgrade mid-season if our production allows for it.
There may be a few times during the year that we make excess bulk produce available for members to purchase for preserving or storing. We will send that information out in the newsletter, or email us your request.
What if I need to miss a week?
If you need to miss a week of pick up because you are away, there are a few options. As long as you email us with 24 hours notice, you are welcome to send someone in your place (we will make sure to guide them through the pick up), you can pick-up at an alternate drop point or you can pick up at our Wakefield Farmers Market stand on the same week. For bi-weekly members, we allow one or two pick-up date changes to allow for vacation.
Our policy is that if you no-show, forget to come to the pick up, or are unable to use one of the above options, we will donate your share. If you are able to email or message us before the end of your pick-up, we can pack your share for pick-up another day..
What about the winter CSA?
Our Winter CSA program runs from November until February and consists of 8 bi-weekly boxes.. Each basket contains a variety of root crops, onions, and squash, that we harvest and store in our root cellar. We also include some greens which are grown in our greenhouses (availability limited to early winter). More information about our winter share can be found here.
Okay! Sign me up!
Click Here for our sign up form to start receiving your veggies as soon as we pick'em!
