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Montalbano Farms
Community Supported Agriculture Program
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The Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program at Montalbano Farms has been
a huge success. Over the years, we have grown by leaps and bounds and the quality
and variety of each share has grown as well. Montalbano Farms would not exist
without the unwavering support of its CSA membership.
CSA programs are a wonderful way to connect farmers with families. In a CSA,
families purchase a membership in the farm. CSA members pay for this membership
during the winter months, providing income to farms at the time of year when
expenses are high. Beginning in June, members receive weekly shares of the farm's
bounty. The crops change each week and we strive to provide lots of variety in each
share.
Your membership in Montalbano Farms includes
- Your Share. Choose from a variety of options that best suits your needs. During
the growing season, we will pack your share will fresh, delicious food from the
farm.
- The Sweet Pea. Our newsletter, the Sweet Pea, full of pictures, updates, recipes,
and news from the farm
- Montalbano Farms tote bag. A rugged, washable tote bag to transport your
produce safely between home and the farm.
- Special Invites. You'll receive invitations to farm events and family days, as well
as opportunities to come on out and get your hands dirty
- Vacation time. If you are going on vacation or are otherwise unable to pick up
your share, let us know ahead of time and we will make up to 2 missed shares
up at the end of the season. You won't miss any of your full share of fresh
produce from our farm.
- Discounts. If, for example, you're throwing a party and need extra veggies,
don't fret! Members receive 50% off additional produce purchased from our
market stands.
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2012 CSA Share Options
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Summer Share
Enjoy 20 weeks of fresh produce from the farm. We strive to have lots of variety in
each share each week. We will focus on providing lots of the most familiar items that
you love. You can expect lots of tomatoes, onions, herbs, greens, and carrots. From
time to time, we'll throw you a curve ball and include kohlrabi or bulbing fennel
(along with lots of recipes of course). You may receive small amounts of fruit in this
share on an occasional basis.
Half Summer Share
Same as the Summer Share only brought to you every other week. We will assign
weeks based on the total number of shares.
Fruit Share
We are excited to offer a fruit share to our CSA members in 2012.
While the produce in the Summer Shares will be from our farm, none of the fruit in the
Fruit Shares will be. We will scout organic fruit farms across the country and find only
the best, certified organic fruit for you and your family. The Fruit Share will be
smaller than the Summer Share, with about 3-4 items each week.
Putting Up Share
Also in response to member feedback, these 10-week shares will provide lots of a
different item each week. You get to choose ten items from our list of 17. Choose
from: tomatoes, sweet peppers, hot peppers, onions, cooking greens, carrots, green
beans, beets, potatoes, cabbage, sweet corn, cucumber, summer squash, garlic, winter
squash, tomatillos, and mixed herbs. These will be brought to you in-season.
Worker Share
In exchange for help on the farm or at market, you will receive a Summer Share.
Contact Rob for more details.
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Is a CSA Program for Me?
Here is what you can expect from a Montalbano Farms CSA
share...
1. It's Good for you. All of the vegetables, herbs, and fruit
arrives within days of harvest. Fresh food means more
nutritious food that lasts longer in your refrigerator and
tastes better at dinnertime.
2. We Help Make it Easy. Each week, we publish a newsletter
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detailing what's in your share, offering recipes
that utilize the week's offerings, and updating you
on farm events.
3. You connect with your farmers. You'll see us at the
market and, of course, you'll find us on the farm.
We grow the food. Knowing your farmer means
that you get a say in what grows on the farm each
year, you know what's happening on the farm,
and you gain access to how your food grows.
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4. Get Your Kids Excited about Food. Taking a trip to receive your weekly share is a
wonderful experience for children. When they open your share, they'll see, smell, feel,
and taste fresh vegetables. Your children will be excited about their food and, most
importantly, they'll look forward to eating it. Furthermore, teaching your kids to cook
is a valuable life skill that will pay off in a lifetime of delicious and healthy eating.
5. Your food buying decisions matter. They affect the future of our land, our farms, our
children, and our communities. Buying from local, sustainable farms is one way of
protecting this future. While we are not certified organic, we follow the organic rules
on our farm. We believe organic agriculture is the only way that we can feed
ourselves, our families, and our communities.
6. It's for the Budget Minded. Feel free to compare our prices for locally grown, organic
produce with anyone else in town. You'll find we're less expensive than the grocery
stores and yet our high quality far surpasses what they put on the shelf. By buying in
bulk, CSA members receive at least a 10% discount on market prices.
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Montalbano Farms brings the CSA shares to
various locations in the Chicagoland area. In 2012,
we have established the locations below where
members can receive their share. We will be
adding sites as the year progresses.
Please feel free to suggest a site or join our mailing
list and be notified of locations as they are added.
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WORKER SHARES
Visit our worker share page
to find out how you can
trade help on the farm
for a CSA share
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Want to bring a CSA to your neighborhood? We are looking for CSA
"core group" site coordinators. Email Farmer Rob at
rob@montalbanofarms.com for more information.
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