CSA Farm Shares — Richmond, VA, Washington, DC, and Surrounding Area

Farm to Family brings the best of local foods to communities in Washington, DC and Richmond, VA through our Farm Shares, or CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). We are are now offering shares for the 2013 Spring/Summer season which begin weekly/biweekly on Tuesday, April 9 on Capitol Hill at Eastern Market’s Fresh Tuesdays, biweekly on Wednesday, April 10th in NW DC at the Maret School’s Lower School parking lot, and weekly/biweekly Thursday, October 18 in Richmond, VA.  Please see the map for prospective drop sites – zoom out for outlying areas and Washington, DC/NoVa. Members can join at any time, so contact us for pro-rated cost.

Please send an email to: farmshares (at) thefarmbus.com with questions.

You can download our Spring/Summer 2013 applications here:

• RVA Spring 2013 CSA Brochure
• DC Spring 2013 CSA Brochure

We were listed in the Washington Post story on flexible CSAs in the Washington DC area.

We work with notable farms/producers like Polyface Farms, Mt Vernon Farms, Prospect Farm, Edmond’s Farm, Mt. View Farm, Goats r Us, Old Church Creamery, Green Fence Farm, Pampatike Organic Farm, Promise Land Pastures, Tuckahoe Lamb and Cattle Company, Sausage Craft, Agriberry and Twin Oaks along with our own non-profit urban farm and agricultural educational center, BusFarm. Your CSA farm share directly supports BusFarm. See BusFarm in action!

We are EBT, vegan, gluten-free, paleo, WAPF and food allergy friendly. We offer payment plans. Got an issue? Ask us and we’ll see if we can accommodate you!  We donate missed pickups (without prior arrangements) to needy families. You can also sponsor a family for one time, or the whole season. Contact us for info on being a sponsor.

Richmond, VA and Surrounding Area

RVA Spring 2013 CSA Brochure

24 weeks in season starting Thursday, April 9, 2013.

Pickup is at the Farm to Family Market, and other locations in the Richmond Metropolitan and surrounding area.  Please check this map of pending locations, and let us know which site works for you. Zoom out to see outlying areas like New Kent and the Northern Neck. We need at least ten people per site to make it feasible so get your neighborhood/worksite involved so you can get a drop. Let us know if you want to host.

Food prices reflect a weekly/biweekly share for the whole season, and include tax. Shares can be pro-rated for late joiners. Seasonal membership fee represents fixed costs and is separate except for complete package.

Options 

• Grass-fed/pastured meats – $600/300
• Grass-fed dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese, butter, eggs) – $720/360
• Produce (local, seasonal) –  $720/360
• *Complete package – *Meat, dairy, produce and bread (includes membership fee) $2363/1194; with GF bread  $2413/1219.  *Receive $50 biweekly/$100 weekly discount for total package pre-paid in full*.

Add-ons

• Bread  -$150/75
• Gluten Free Bread -$200/100
• Soy – $240/120 (Twin Oaks tofu, tempeh and vegan sausages)
• Eggs – $140/70
• Bodycare – $144 (bi-weekly you will receive a locally made body product. Household products also available.)
• Pizza/Pasta –  $288/144
• DogTreats $170/85 (Don’t forget to get Fido locally made, healthy treats)

Seasonal Membership Fee 

Includes fuel, labor, admin – all our fixed costs etc for the season – $125/75 (except for complete package -included)*

More Info

• A la carte items available include honey, coffee, molasses, spice/herbs, teas, sauces and more
• A la carte meats/dairy available.
• Flexible membership includes payment plans and pro-ration (join at any time, subtract for vacation/travel time). You can combine all options/add-ons or frequency (i.e. weekly veg + bi-weekly meat). Flex Payments options are: 2-3 payments for anything over $500.
• We also take monthly EBT/SNAP benefit payments for shares/a la carte (would not include tax – call for details).
• Missed pickups/shares are donated unless you make prior arrangements.
• Please know that local farm operations are subject to acts of Mother Nature and can change at any time. We make every effort to provide substitutes etc should this arise.
• We also offer special Restaurant/Catering Packages (for Chefs) call for details.
• How many people will it feed? Well, it depends. How much do you eat?  How old are you? What do you eat?  Where do you want to go with your nutrition? Do you cook a lot? Where else will you shop? Do you eat out? Do you make lunches? How much are you spending on REAL food now? Still have questions on quantity or frequency? Call us and we can help you decide.

How to Do the Pickup (Richmond)

Pickups are at the Farm to Family Market, 2817 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23223 starting Thursday and we are working out details for other neighborhood locations (see map). We encourage you to pick up as early as possible to get the freshest food out of your USA. Please bring a bag or cooler with you — all dairy must be kept cold.  If you are unable to make your pickup, please make arrangements with a friend to pickup for you, or contact us. If we don’t hear from you, your share will be donated. No credits.

Washington, DC and Surrounding Area

DC Spring 2013 CSA Brochure

24 weekly or 12 bi-weekly drops start onCapitol Hill  on Tuesday, April 9, 2013, and NW DC on Wednesday, April 10, 2013. Members can join anytime.

2 drop locations:

• Capitol Hill – 4-7 pm Eastern Market Fresh Tuesdays Farmer’s Line Directions - Weekly and Bi-weekly.
• NW DC – 5-7 pm Maret School, 3000 Cathedral Ave NW, 20008 (lower parking lot) Directions - Bi-weekly only.
• Additional dropsites in NOVA may be forthcoming. Please check this map for a location close to you and let us know if you’d like to pickup there. We need at least ten people per site to make it feasible so get your neighborhood/worksite involved so you can get a drop. Let us know if you want to host.
• If we get set up at drop location before start time, we’ll tweet/FB for your convenience.

Package Options

Food prices reflect a weekly/biweekly share for the whole season, and include tax. Shares can be pro-rated for late joiners. Seasonal membership fee represents fixed costs and is separate except for complete package.

• Grass-fed/pastured meats – $600/300
• Grass-fed dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese, butter, eggs) – $720/360
• Produce (local, seasonal) –  $720/360
• *Complete package – *Meat, dairy, produce and bread (includes membership fee) $2438/1219; with GF bread  $2488/1244.  *Receive $50 biweekly/$100 weekly discount for total package pre-paid in full*.

Add-ons

• Bread  -$150/75
• Gluten Free Bread -$200/100
• Soy – $240/120 (Twin Oaks tofu, tempeh and vegan sausages)
• Eggs – $140/70
• Bodycare – $144 (bi-weekly you will receive a locally made body product. Household products also available.)
• Pizza/Pasta –  $288/144
• DogTreats $170/85 (Don’t forget to get Fido locally made, healthy treats)

Seasonal Membership Fee

Includes fuel, labor, admin – all our fixed costs etc for the season – $200/100 (except for complete package -included)*

More Info

• A la carte items available include honey, coffee, molasses, spice/herbs, teas, sauces and more
• A la carte meats/dairy available.
• Flexible membership includes payment plans and pro-ration (join at any time, subtract for vacation/travel time). You can combine all options/add-ons or frequency (i.e. weekly veg + bi-weekly meat). Flex Payments options are: 2-3 payments for anything over $500.
• We also take monthly EBT/SNAP benefit payments for shares/a la carte (would not include tax – call for details).
• Missed pickups/shares are donated unless you make prior arrangements.
• Please know that local farm operations are subject to acts of Mother Nature and can change at any time. We make every effort to provide substitutes etc should this arise.
• We also offer special Restaurant, Embassy/Consulate Packages (for Chefs) call for details.
• How many people will it feed? Well it depends. How much do you eat? What do you eat? Where do you want to go with your nutrition? How old are you? Do you cook a lot? Where else will you shop? Do you eat out? Do you make lunches?  How much are you spending on REAL food now? Etc.  Still have questions on quantity or frequency? Call us and we can help you decide.

How to Do the Pickup (DC)

Please bring a bag or cooler with you – rolling carts are good too — all dairy must be kept cold to keep its integrity.If you are running late, please call or text Mark at 804-397-7337. If you are unable to make your pickup, please make arrangements with a friend to pickup for you, or contact us. If we don’t hear from you, your share will be donated. No credits.

Questions?

Please send an email to: farmshares (at) thefarmbus.com OR call us at 804-767-8570 and we will be happy to help you. Richmonders can also stop by the market.

1. Print the application for your city, fill it out  - specify which option(s) you want, frequency (weekly/bi-weekly), location of pickup (Richmond, NW, Capitol Hill), add it up and add the membership fee. That will be your total.  Review and keep a copy for your records.
2. We recommend you email or call us to verify pricing for options chosen prior to paying especially if you are joining after start date,  and need a pro-rated price, payment plan, want to skip weeks for travel, or are using EBT to pay. 
3. Indicate any special info we need to know (i.e. gluten free, no pork, vegan, traveling week of 7/2 thru 7/8).
4. If you need a payment plan, write if you wish to do 2 or 3 payments.
5. If you plan to pay by EBT please call to establish monthly payment plan, and to get pricing excluding tax.
6. If you are joining after the start date, please call to get pro-rated pricing.

Payment

 We accept cash, check/money order, EBT/Food Stamps, credit/debit  or you may pay securely online using  PAYPAL  (Indicate in your Paypal payment that you are paying for 2013 Spring/Summer CSA, your pickup location, payment number if doing a plan ie. 2013 CSA, DC NW, payment 1 of 3. You must also email, mail or bring your completed application so we have it on file).

Please bring cash to us in person.

Credit/debit can be paid in person, or you can call to give info over the phone: 804-767-8570.

Check/money order should be made out to “Farm to Family” and can be given in person or mailed to:

Farm to Family CSA
2817 Mechanicsville Turnpike
Richmond, VA 23223

 Your registration will not be complete until we receive your payment.  Please review the application carefully before signing/sending or turning in your form.

The Fine Print

*Remember there are risks involved in farming and there are no guarantees when dealing with Mother Nature, humans, vehicles, traffic and animals and we all assume risks in a CSA contract. Although we have had a great deal of good fortune with this program thus far we must all consider the fact that there are possibilities of having to be flexible. As we are working with a number of farmers, we have tried to minimize risk and offer alternatives. We have and will continue to provide the best service possible to get all your pre-paid products to you in a timely orderly fashion. We appreciate your support of local food and choice to feed your family by joining our program.

*Shares will be donated if not picked up. No refunds. Please contact us to make arrangements if you cannot get your share (we have several options for you including donating your share) or have someone else pickup your share.

*Please address any questions or concerns with us as soon as possible so we can provide you with the best possible customer service, along with the best foods our food shed has to offer.

If you have any questions feel free to call (804-767-8570) or email us at: farmshares(at) thefarmbus.com . We are honored and grateful to work with you.

Be a CSA host drop-site — FREE FOOD!

Anyone want a free CSA /farm share ($1,000 value)? Sure you do! It’s easy easy, just become a host (drop site) for the CSA at your home or business. We need you to help us recruit at least 10 people to make it happen. Use your network of friends, neighbors, co-workers and family along with social media etc to get 10 people! We will also help you build it up through our networks. It’s a win win for everyone, supports community, local farms, creates jobs, eat healthier, cook at home and part of the the CSA membership helps support our NPO “BUSFARM” (urban farm project) .

What is a CSA?

A CSA is a form of mutual partnership between a farmer and a consumer. Our CSA is modified because we bring food to folks in the city, from several farms and artisan food makers including growing our own. Rather than go through several layers of middle people, consumers make a commitment to directly support individual food growers + small distributors like us, by providing money (and sometimes labor) for their yearly operating budget. In exchange, they receive a dividend of the freshest produce and cleanest meats possible. Each supporter buys a “share” of the produce and meats (not unlike a share of stock) and takes on some of the risks and benefits of growing food along with the farmer.  Our members support our non-profit urban farm, BusFarm, along with a variety of farmers and artisanal food makers.  Check here to see a list of who we work with and their farming practice. Our CSA is not about getting discounted produce, nor is it a cooperative. It is an unique way for people to gain a better knowledge of the food they put in their bodies by directly supporting the process, people, and land it takes to produce it.

All products are locally grown and produced within 167 miles of Richmond, VA.

Helping Us to Help Others

A percentage of profits from our CSA go to support our urban farm and educational center, BUSFARM, and purchases veggies and other products produced at BUSFARM for your share. Please know if you are unable to pickup your share, you can donate your share for that week to a family in need. Unclaimed shares will be automatically donated. You can also purchase a share for a family that is need (one share, or a whole season. We can help you find a family that fits you – (single mom, children with disability, etc)  Contact us for more details.

Testimonials – What Others Say About Us

“Suzi and Mark Lilly are very nice and very helpful. Their knowledge of the products that they bring to us and their product mix are good. Their regular CSA share options are all quite generous and they are able to add extra products that round out the pantry.” – Ron L., Washington DC

“F2F has provided my four children and I with exposure to gardening, composting, healthier food choices, healthy recipes and cooking alternatives. Through the CSA Program, we benefited from eating farm fresh produce, dairy and meats. It is truly amazing to compare the health benefits of eating farm fresh foods versus processed foods;fresh is truly best. This past summer, we planted a small garden at home and plan to continue gardening going forward. It is so nice to have access to healthy food choices in the community via Farm to Family.”  Sharon F. – Richmond

“Farm to Family’s Produce Baskets are truly a treasure! There are so many reasons I choose to buy them. I enjoy knowing I am supporting my local farmers, my friends at Farm to Family and my community by keeping my money local, but aside from the warm fuzzy altruistic reasons. As a single Mama to three, I simply don’t have time nor do I want to spend time planning meals and making grocery lists, shopping with Farm to Family enables me to pick up a basket of food with little to no thought, and enables me to protect my toddlers from the relentless advertising of unhealthy foods aimed at them in a conventional grocery store. My kids entertain themselves in the play area with the bunnies while I grab the a la carte items I need. Farm to Family’s produce basket ensures my children are getting fresh wholesome meals, and introduces us to many heirloom varieties of foods we would not normally encounter in a conventional grocery store. Usually a quick search on Google yields us with plenty of recipes to try out. My children will grow up eating food that is in season, they will know when things grow and look forward to the first asparagus of spring, summer’s bounty of tomatoes, fall squash and winter’s greens. The meals are aligned with nature, providing water dense juicy foods during the harshest days of summer, and warming starchy foods during the coldest days of winter. We are so lucky to have a CSA that picks up such a wonderful variety of foods from local farms here in Richmond, I am looking forward to signing up this season and receiving my first delivery in April.” – Cynthia W., Richmond, VA.