Highland Orchards Farm Market

The concept of “Community Supported Agriculture” was first started in this country in 1986. The goal was to connect consumers with a local grower so that the customers purchased a “share” of the harvest. Customers placed their orders in early spring to help finance the purchase of seeds and to pay for labor before the farmer started harvesting and selling. In return, customers received a generous share of the weekly harvest as a return on their investment.

Every farm puts a slightly different twist on their CSA program, so it is important to find out the details of the program before you jump in. We have modified the traditional Community Supported Agriculture program to fit the needs of our customers in our community and our farm.

Eating seasonally, supporting a local farm, having fresh vegetables in the house—it all sounds great—but will it work for your household?

Is a CSA right for you? Good question! We can explore that question with some additional questions.

First, what can a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share do for you?

Here is what some current shareholders say:

• I know the answer to the question, “What’s for dinner?”
• I like the flexibility in scheduling.
• I try new vegetables that I might not have considered.
• I don’t miss anything that has a short season—like strawberries!
• I can send my son to pick up my share and he comes home with food.
• Everything tastes better; even my kids eat your vegetables.

Second, do you enjoy cooking with fresh ingredients?

A CSA is all about fresh. Every week is different. We post lots of recipes for what is in your CSA. And you get to do the cooking. It doesn’t have to be fancy—although it can be—and it doesn’t have to take a lot of time, but it does require preparation and cooking. Many of the recipes we post are straight forward, easy to prepare, and popular with the whole family. We also post online what is in the shares each week, as well as post a video of what is in the shares, to help you identify each item.

We suggest starting with a Small share so that you can see how you work your way through the vegetables. 70% of our members get a Small share. 

If you eat out a fair amount or it's just you or your family is new to eating vegetables, you may want to get a share every other week.

If you juice or fix your lunch daily as well as dinner, you may want to change to a Large share. Some people like the variety in the large share and find someone to split a large share with them.

You have the option, with our program, to put your share on “Hold” if you are going to be away or need to skip a week. You will not be charged for that week or weeks and you start again on the chosen date.

Finally, do you enjoy trying something new?

With our program, you will get some vegetables that are a little different… sometimes. Not too many at once and not all the time. And we will give you some recipe suggestions when we do. Many of our CSA customers have discovered new favorites this way: baby bok choy, fresh beets, kohlrabi, parsnips, and others. You still get the classic favorites—asparagus, sweet corn, heirloom tomatoes, basil, peaches, green beans, fresh lettuce, etc.—along with something new. The best of both worlds!

Is a CSA right for you? Try it and see.