Support Local Agriculture - CSA

Stone Soup Collaborative Farms
Argyle and West Corinth, Maine

Over the last 20 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer.

Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of "shares"
to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but
other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share
(aka a "membership" or a "subscription") and in return receive a box (bag,
basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season.

This arrangement creates several rewards for both the farmer and the
consumer. In brief...

Advantages for consumers:

• Eat ultra-fresh food, with all the flavor and vitamin benefits
  
• Get exposed to new vegetables and new ways of cooking
  
• Usually get to visit the farm at least once a season
  
• Find that kids typically favor food from "their" farm – even veggies
  they've never been known to eat
  
• Develop a relationship with the farmer who grows their food and
  learn more about how food is grown

Advantages for farmers:

• Get to spend time marketing the food early in the year, before their
  16 hour days in the field begin
  
• Receive payment early in the season, which helps with the farm's
  cash flow
  
• Have an opportunity to get to know the people who eat the food they
  grow

Stone Soup CSA particulars

We offer three levels of participation with shareholders getting their choice of a variety of produce, seedlings, herbs and eggs over a 16-week period:

1. Full Share - $350
2. Half Share - $175
3. "Mini" Share - $100 - a great way to "try out" the concept, or for singles

Additionally, we offer "work credit" at $8.00/hr for those with a full or half share, who wish to offset some of the cost by working on either or both of the farms. Greenhouse chores, planting, weeding, picking and potentially helping with the animals or at farmers markets help bring CSA participants and farmers closer together.

Customer's Choice

Unlike many CSAs, which allow you to "opt out" of products that you family will not eat or are allergic to but give you no additional choice for your weekly share, Stone Soup CSA is based on the concept of customer choice. We will notify you each week, by email or text, what is available. You can reply with your choices for the week and tell us where you want to pick up your groceries and they will be ready for you to "grab and go," a great option for busy shoppers. If you prefer to browse, just visit us at one of the markets and fill your bag as you go. Shop, but leave your wallet at home! The choice and variety of foods and pickup location is totally up to you!

In the spring you can select seedlings as part of your share, for your patio or backyard garden. All year long, eggs (chicken and duck) will be available, as well as all of the seasonal specialties. We offer salad greens all season long and the tomato season starts early with fruits from the greenhouse. In the fall, look for pumpkins (pie and jack o lanterns) as well as gourds and corn stalks for that autumn decor.

Email stone soup collaborative to discuss your options or to join our CSA.