CSA: Middle Way Farm

SPRING SHARE

An early season share featuring the first harvest of spring produce such as lettuce, spinach radishes, green onions, and spring turnips, overwintered storage crops such as beets and carrots, and locally procured or foraged items such as asparagus and ramps (wild leeks). Smaller than summer share: 5-8 items per share. Standard share only. Wednesday on-farm pick-up only. Not available for other pick-ups. 3 pick-ups, May 11 - May 25. Limited availability, first come first serve sign-up.

STANDARD SHARE (SUMMER)

The standard share is the classic CSA share - a diverse weekly box of vegetables chosen by the farmer based on what is in season. No ordering needed: let the farm stock your produce drawer. Learn to use new vegetables and eat seasonally. A great way to increase your vegetable consumption and push your tastes and cooking in new directions The full share is designed for a family of four that might eat out several times a week or two adults that cook at home often. The full share will contain 8-12 items, depending on the season, with an approximate weekly value of $24.75 ($495 divided by 20 weeks). The every other week share is meant for individuals or couples that would find an every week share too substantial, or for families that don't as many vegetables or cook at home often. When choosing your share, consider your weekly grocery bill for produce to figure out which will be the best share for you. Our prices are similar to what you would pay for organic produce at a grocery store, and sometimes cheaper.

During abundant years, you will receive more produce than the market value of your share, rewarding your financial commitment to the farm. Even during tough years, thanks to on-farm diversity, you will still receive an ample box each week. You can also order extras throughout the season by using the same online account that custom shareholders use to place their weekly orders (the cost of extras will be billed at the end of the season).

The summer standard share lasts 20 weeks, starting the week of May 30 and ending the week of October 10. All pick-up locations are available. Shares may be put on hold by week, but you will still be charged for that share. You can also have a friend or family member receive your share instead. Sharing with friends and family throughout the season is also encouraged.

The Cedar Rapids Market Share is a special version of the full share delivered to the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market on the first and third Saturdays of June through September. 8 deliveries total. No add-on shares can be combined with this share.

EXAMPLE SHARES BY MONTH (from actual 2015 shares)

JUNE - 1 bunch Beets, 1 lb Broccoli, 1 bunch Garlic Scapes, 1 bunch Green Onion, 1 bunch Heirloom Kale, 3 bulbs Green & Red Kohlrabi, 1 bunch Radish, 6 oz. bag Spring Mix Lettuce, 1 bag Snap Peas, 1 bunch Spring Turnips

JULY - 6 oz. bag Arugula, 1 head Savoy Cabbage, 1 1/2 lb Carrots, 1 Cucumber, 1 Zucchini, 1 bulb Fresh Garlic, 3/4 lb Green Beans, 1 bunch Green Onions, 6 oz. bag Spring Mix Lettuce with Baby Kale, 1 quart Yellow & Purple New Potatoes

AUGUST - 1 bunch Cilantro, 3 Cucumbers, 1 head Garlic, 1 pound White Onions, 3 Green Peppers, 1 Hot Pepper, 1/2 pint Sungold Cherry Tomatoes, 1-2 Slicing Tomatoes, 1-2 Roma Tomatoes, 1-2 Watermelons, 3 Zucchini

SEPTEMBER - 1 1/2 lb Beets, 3/4 lb Broccoli, 1 head Cabbage, 1 Cucumber, 1 Eggplant, 6 oz. bag Lettuce Mix, 3 lb Yellow Onions, 1-2 Red Pepper, 3 lb Potatoes, 1-2 Slicing Tomatoes, 1-2 Roma Tomatoes, 1 Zucchini

OCTOBER (last share) - 1/2 lb Broccoli, 1 lb Brussels Sprouts, 3 lb Carrots, 3 heads Garlic, 1 bunch Kale, 3 lb Yellow Onion, a few Pears, 1 Pie Pumpkin (locally sourced), 2 ears Popcorn (locally sourced), 5 lb Kennebec Potatoes, 1 Butternut Squash, 3 lb Sweet Potatoes

The custom share is the "one size fits all" vegetable share. You get complete control to order what you want and how much you want. Good for individuals, couples, home gardeners, summer travelers, or if you just want choice over what you get each week. Less challenge and less waste than a traditional CSA. High rate of satisfaction. You receive credit for your initial custom share payment, less a membership fee. The more you deposit, the lower your membership fee. You choose a la carte what goes in your share each week (minimum $10 per order) and your weekly orders are automatically debited from your initial credit. The total cost of your share will be based on what you order each week. If deposit is exceeded, member will be billed at end of season. Initial deposit must be spent by the end of the season.

CUSTOM SHARE (SUMMER)

Orders are placed by logging into your online account after receiving the weekly CSA e-newsletter on Sunday nights. Orders must be placed by Tuesday at midnight each week. NOTE: Farm to Folk customers, you will submit your custom order using the same timeline as Farm to Folk a la carte orders (open on Thursday night, close on Saturday night). Custom shareholders get to choose produce from the contents of the standard share as well as additional items that may be available but not included in that week's standard share. Occasionally produce in short supply will be offered in standard shares but not for custom order, but custom shareholders typically have access to the same produce as standard shareholders.

You can put your share on hold by the week as needed up to five weeks per season through your online account (holds must be placed by Tuesday at midnight before Wednesday delivery). After five holds, the $10 per week charge will apply if no order is made, even if a hold is in place. If no order is made and no hold is placed, you will be be charged $10 for that week. Alternatively, you can automatically receive a standard share if you do not place an order or put a hold on your account.

FALL SHARE

End of season share that includes cold hardy vegetables harvested from the field such as kale, spinach, brussels sprouts, and broccoli, storage crops such as potatoes, beets, carrots, sweet potatoes, onions, and garlic, as well as some products sourced from other local producers such as apples, popcorn, and winter squash. Four shares spaced 2 weeks apart, starting November 1 and ending December 14. Full size share is larger in number of products and quantity per product than summer full size share (12-15 items). Many products in the fall share do not need to be refrigerated and storage crops in the share will keep in the fridge and can last for up to several months, well past New Years. The Thanksgiving Share is a single full size share delivered during the week of November 14. Limited availability, first come first serve sign-up. Available for all pick-up locations except Cedar Rapids, but on-farm pick-up in Grinnell only (no home delivery).