What is in a Summer CSA share?
When I signed up for my very first CSA share as a customer back in 2004, I really had no idea what I was getting into.
I was taking a leap of faith based on a paper brochure and a phone conversation with a farmer.
Maybe you know what I felt like?
Of course, this was back before it was common for most small business to have a website full of more information on their products.
I did it at age 21, when I barely knew how to cook, let alone knowing how to identify all of the veggies I would be getting in the future.
But, I was gung-ho. Determined to try it. To support a farmer. Know where my food comes from. And get more adventurous in the kitchen. Learn a thing or two or... thirty! Ha!
But as it turns out, that was a fateful moment for me, because it set me onto the path that I'm on now, as a CSA farmer myself!
So, I really do know what a leap of faith and financial commitment it can be to join a CSA. I've been there myself.
And that's why I'm here to help you, if you're in my place yourself, considering joining a CSA farm share program for the first time (or shopping for a new CSA).
What is in a Summer CSA share?
Are you interested in taking the leap of faith to join me and the rest of the Ripley Farm team in our CSA in 2023??
I'm here to help you by answering the most frequently asked question about our farm share program...
"What's in a box?"
Here we are holding the nebulous CSA "box". :)
Well, the short answer is...
A Ripley Farm Summer CSA share comes literally straight from your farmers hands to you.
The box contains a seasonal blend of 7-9 organic vegetables grown with love on our farm.
Throughout the 16 week season of July-October, we emphasize popular favorites, as well as surprise you with occasional specialties not found in grocery stores.
We aim to have a seasonal selection of greens for salads, easy veggies for raw snacking, and veggies for cooking in every week's box.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. But, what does this actually look like?
I get you. You gotta see it to really understand. I'm like that, too! :)
So, for the longer answer with pictures, take a peak at our farm's actual Summer CSA shares distributed in 2023...
(Thank you to Assistant Farmer Hannah Johnson for the photos below!)
What's in season in July?
July is our first month of serious harvests on our farm, and is full of super fresh goodies. You'll likely see a diverse set of vegetables including:
- lettuce of many varieties and colors
- salad turnips
- baby carrots
- beet greens
- peas
- kale
- fresh herbs like dill, purslane, basil, or cilantro
- pac choy (aka Bok Choy)
- Other Asian greens like Chinese leaf cabbage and Tatsoi
- garlic scapes
- radishes
- scallions (green onions)
- cabbage
- Swiss chard
- and more!
July 6, 2022 - Week 1
July 13, 2022 - Week 2
July 20, 2022 - Week 3
July 27, 2022 - Week 4
What's in season in August?
August is the month that SUMMER really starts to come in! You'll likely see a diverse mix of vegetables including:
- lettuce
- summer squash
- cucumbers
- tomatoes
- cherry tomatoes
- carrots
- beets
- green beans (and other colors of beans)
- green peppers
- cabbage
- herbs like basil & dill
- garlic
- fresh onions
- misc. specialty crops like tomatillos, etc.
- and more!
August 3, 2022 - Week 5
August 10, 2022 - Week 6
August 17, 2022 - Week 7
August 24, 2022 - Week 8
August 31, 2022 - Week 9
What is in season in September?
September fall begins... but not before SUMMER is fully played out. In this month, you'll likely see summer mixing with fall vegetables including:
- lettuce
- kale
- Asian greens like pac choi, Chinese cabbage, and Tatsoi
- summer squash
- cucumbers
- onions
- garlic
- tomatoes
- cherry tomatoes
- peppers (green and red and specialty varieties)
- carrots
- broccoli
- cabbage
- radishes
- winter squash
- beets
- potatoes
- and more!
September 7, 2022 - Week 10
September 14, 2022 - Week 11
September 21, 2022 - Week 12
September 28, 2022 - Week 13
What's in season in October?
October is a full-on fall harvest month on our farm, but you'll get to see your fresh favorites like greens, too! You'll likely see a diverse mix of fall vegetables including:
- lettuce
- carrots
- broccoli
- pac choy
- beets
- onions
- kale
- Swiss chard
- garlic
- fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro
- winter squash
- potatoes
- cabbage
- kohlrabi
- radishes
- leeks
- peppers (green and red)
- and more!
October 5, 2022 - Week 14
October 12, 2022 - Week 15
October 19, 2022 - Week 16
Plus EVERY week there is a newsletter with farm happenings, veggie tips and seasonal recipes to help you use and enjoy your vegetables.
Does all this mouth-watering freshness make you want in??
If so, we'd love to have you join a hundred+ other families in Central Maine who are eating more fresh veggies!
Learn more about our 2023 Summer CSA farm share program here.
We'd love to have you! So if you're ready to take the leap...
