CSA represents an opportunity to reconnect people to the land and to their food. CSA provides us, the farmers, with a dependable income and a meaningful connection to our customers. Members pay a fee at the beginning of the season or in several installments. Between May and the end of September, members receive a “share” of the harvest in the form of a weekly box of fresh produce. The boxes are picked up at the farm or at one of six convenient host sites around the Chicago area.

We grow more than 50 different crops. Here’s an idea of what to expect during each of the seasons.

• Spring Vegetable Season Asparagus and rhubarb are just a few of the treats that you will receive as part of the spring share. Your box will also include tender spring delicacies grown in our greenhouses. These include salad mix, bok choy, endive, arugula, baby turnips, baby chard, spinach, sprouts, dandelion greens, head lettuce, radishes and more.
• Summer Vegetable Season Over the course of the season you will receive all of the “classic” summer vegetables plus a few new ones that you are sure to enjoy. The list includes basil, beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, celery, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, fennel, garlic, herbs, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, melons, onions, parsley, peas, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, scallions, spinach, swiss chard, tomatoes, turnips, winter squash, and zucchini. The summer share also includes a modest amount of fruit (strawberries and melons) from time to time. Please consider the fruit share if you would like to receive fruit on a regular basis.

On average, produce from our farm makes up approximately ninty percent of the produce in the weekly box. We collaborate with several other local organic farmers in order to help protect our members from crop failure and to create a box that is as varied as possible from week to week.

The average amount of produce received is slightly more than half a bushel. This is equivalent to a standard grocery bag. Here are some examples of what to expect:

• Typical Spring Vegetable Share: 1 Bunch of Radishes, 1 Bunch of Baby Beets, 1 Bunch of Green Onions, 1 Bunch of Baby Carrots, 2 Heads of Lettuce, 1 Bag of Spinach, 1 Bag of Buckwheat Sprouts
• Typical Summer Share: 2 Heads of Broccoli, 1 Bunch of Carrots, 3 Medium Zucchini, 1 Head of Garlic, 1 Head of Lettuce, 1 Bunch of Swiss Chard, 1 Bunch of Basil, 1 Pound of Green Beans
• Typical July Fruit Share: One Quart of Sweet Cherries, One Pint of Blueberries, One Quart of Peaches
• Typical September Fruit Share: Two Pounds of Apples, One Quart of Concord Grapes, One Pint of Raspberries

Your produce is selected by us here at the farm based on what is fresh and ready-to-pick that particular week. We pay special attention to creating well-balanced boxes and to making sure our boxes are as varied as possible from week to week. Each week’s newsletter contains between 4 and 6 recipes to help our members make the most of the week’s bounty.

If you are unable to pick up your share on a particular week, please ask a friend or neighbor to pick it up for you. We regret that we are unable to give credit for weeks that you are on vacation, out of town or forget to pick up your box.

Of course! Part of the fun of being a member of a CSA farm is the opportunity to take part in farm work days and festivals. Farm events are publicized in the weekly newsletter. Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering at the farm either occasionally or on a regular basis.

Pick-up is on WEDNESDAYS at the following sites: Downtown Barrington (324 E. Liberty St.) 3-8 p.m. Glenview (727 Harlem Ave.) 4-7 p.m. Lake Forest (370 E. Westminster) 4-8 p.m. Pick-up is on THURSDAYS at the following sites: At the farm in Grayslake (32140 Harris Road) 3-8 p.m. Glen Ellyn (537 Hillside Ave.) 3-8 p.m. Clarendon Hills (418 Ridge Ave.) 3-8 p.m. Oak Park (Buzz Café) 4-7 p.m. We will send you an email confirmation prior to the start of the season. The confirmation letter will contain details specific to your pick-up site.

We are proud to bring our customers the most delicious local fruit available. Throughout the fruit season you will receive assorted seasonal fruits including blueberries, peaches, plums, grapes, nectarines, raspberries, apples, pears, blackberries and more. Please note that these fruits are not certified organic. They are grown by a friend in Michigan who uses the Integrated Pest Management system. This means that synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are used in the smallest possible quantities in order to minimize the impact on the natural environment. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to savor truly delectable fruit and to support a local fruit farmer who cares about your health and the health of the environment.

Click here to download the latest version of our CSA brochure and registration form.