ONTARIO CSA FARM DIRECTORY

10 MOST RECENT CSA LISTINGS

Jan 28/15 GRIMSBY
- Forty Mile Creek Farm
Jan 26/15 SIMCOE
- Meadow Lynn Market Garden
Jan 25/15 KENDAL
- Ginger Acres
Jan 21/15 COTTAM
- Trish's Produce
Jan 5/15 RIDGEVILLE
- Rumar Farm
Dec 3/14 McKERROW
- Dare 2 Dream Alpaca & Sandy Loam Produce
DEC 3/14 FONTHILL
- Veggies on Hollow
OCT 20/14 ERIN
- Red Rabbit Gardens
Oct 1/14 STIRLING
- Holly Ray Farms
July 28/14 DRESDEN
- River Bell Market Garden

CSA INFORMATION

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

With the prominence of issues in the news such as climate change, the use of pesticides, fertilizers and genetic engineering is causing people to become more concerned with food safety, sustainability and where their food comes from.

YOU CAN'T GET ANY FRESHER!

IMAGINE getting field-fresh fruit and vegetables straight from the garden, hand-picked on the day you receive it?
CSA farms offer fresher, healthier alternatives to produce loaded with chemicals, picked too early, rippened in crates, offering fewer nutrients, and shipped for thousands of kilometres before making it to your plate.

BRINGING THE FARMERS TO YOU...

WHAT ARE CSA FARMS?

The Ontario CSA Farm Directory lists farmers that offer weekly freshly picked farm-raised food boxes to members who are part of their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). Consumers wanting good quality, safe food and farmers looking for stable markets form a type of partnership.

LOOK AT OUR CSA MAP TO FIND A CSA NEAR YOU!

The consumer (you) pay the farmer a one-time fee (or share) prior to the start of growing season. This fee is determined by seed cost, equipment maintenance, property fees, tools, salaries, distribution costs, etc. In return, you receive weekly food boxes either by delivery or at a pick-up location near you. A full share may feed a family of 4 in produce for a week, where a half share may feed 2-3. Each farm's shares are different in size and cost. This type of program greatly reduces the waste involved in blindly growing food for an indeterminate number of people. MORE...

IF YOU CONTACT A CSA FARMER, PLEASE TELL THEM YOU SAW THEIR LISTING IN OUR DIRECTORY

FACTS ON IMPORTED FOOD IN CANADA

* No processed food is inspected unless a complaint is received

* "Product of Canada" may not mean "grown in Canada"

* In 2006 Canada imported 5.5 million tonnes of fruit and vegetables. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency tested ONLY 17,910 samples for pesticide residue. 87% passed in that small sample base. What about all the others they didn't inspect?

* In 2007 Canada lowered its standards on acceptable pesticide use to conform with the USA, allowing MORE pesticide residue on food.

WHY BUY LOCAL FOOD?

Becoming a member of a CSA creates a relationship between people and the food they eat, the land on which it is grown and those who grow it.

This supportive relationship helps to create an economically stable farm operation. The members receive quality produce, In return, farmers are guaranteed a reliable market for a diverse selection of crops. The farmers sustain the local economy by making local purchases for a win-win situation!. MORE...

LITTLE OR NO CHEMICALS = HEALTHIER FAMILIES

CSA farms offer TRULY FRESH, quality vegetables, fruit and other items that have little or no pesticides or chemicals and are often Certified Organic. All are dedicated to proper land stewardship involving crop rotation as well as NATURAL and SUSTAINABLE growing practices. Many add nutrients to the soil with compost, rock minerals, seaweed or manure from their organically fed animals. Many limit the use of fossil fuel through the use of human power, draft horses or oxen. Most animals are pasture raised without antibiotircs or medication. Pest control is dealt with in many ways aside from caring for and producing healthy soil, including companion planting (planting specific plants together which detract pests) and floating row covers.

For too many years pesticides, herbicides, chemicals and artificial fertilizers have been used. And, for too many years the residue from that "toxic goop" has been oozing into the ground water of soil that is not cared for sustainably. Is it any wonder that many diseases today have increased ten-fold since the early 1900's? CSA farmers follow proper land STEWARDSHIP practices in order for the soil and produce be healthy for generations to come.

Taste the DIFFERENCE! Buy from your local CSA farm!