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CSAs: Eating local is a win-win for families
Life over the past few years has been anything but predictable. But if there’s one constant that never changes, it’s that your family needs to eat healthy food. The pandemic has also been hard on local businesses, and it’s here where community-supported agriculture (CSA) delivers a win. Families buy a CSA membership — a share of a local farm’s crop — and in turn receive a weekly box of produce.
Varied, more flavorful and nutritious veggies, a smaller environmental footprint and supporting local farmers are all reasons why CSAs offer an awesome alternative to the grocery aisle. Plus, even the pickiest eaters won’t be able to resist the excitement of a surprise delivery!
While some Puget Sound–area farms’ CSA shares have already sold out, we’ve rounded up 11 fantastic farms that still have spots — but hurry, they won’t last long! Use the arrows above the image to check out your options.
CSAs serving Puget Sound–area families
1. SnoValley Gardens
Run by a husband and wife team in Redmond, SnoValley Gardens keeps its operations low-key and down to earth — literally. The goal is to get back to the old ways of farming, from revitalizing the land with regenerative soil management to growing long-forgotten flavors. Organic veggies and pasture-raised eggs fill abundant harvest boxes: a full share at $875 will feed a family of four, with half-shares available for smaller households. Egg share members receive a dozen eggs every week. The season runs for 18 weeks, June–September, beginning with greens and root crops at the start and followed by the main crops, such as heirloom tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, in July and August. Easy kid faves such as carrots and broccoli also make an appearance throughout the season. Pickup is available at the farm, or at one of the four farmers markets in Bellevue, Kirkland, Magnolia or Mercer Island.
2. Snoqualmie Valley Farmers Cooperative
Snoqualmie Valley Farmers Cooperative is a nonprofit organization that brings together 21 small farms in the Snoqualmie Valley. The co-op supports both individual farmers and the greater farming ecosystem, bringing customers a wider variety of crops. A 14-week veggie subscription starts June 30 and costs $700 ($350 for bi-weekly delivery). Veggie boxes including 7–9 items are delivered straight to your home or workplace within Greater Seattle. Members can add a 17-week fruit share that begins in August and includes 4–5 pounds of organic fruit from the fertile Okanogan Valley — think tree-ripe peaches and pears.
3. River Run Farm
This pretty farm, which grows organic veggies, berries and flowers, is located on the Olympic Peninsula, along the Dungeness River in Sequim. If that sounds like a trek, not to worry: Its Farm Share boxes, packed with fresh-picked (and they do mean fresh — harvested within a day or two) goodness make their way to seven pickup sites around Seattle, with home delivery available in North Seattle and the Phinney Ridge neighborhood. Members typically get 5–7 types of veggies and greens in their box, and can customize their order online according to their preferences. The full-season share, beginning June 12 and running for 22 weeks, is available, starting at around $35 per delivery.
4. Fall City Farms
Known for its pumpkin patch and gorgeous setting along the Snoqualmie River, Fall City Farms got its start selling pumpkins and corn out of a garage in 1991. The organic produce features “familiar items with a twist,” with flavorful varieties not available at your local grocery store. The CSA program runs for 16 weeks, June–October, with a weekly share of 7–12 items priced at $450. Pickup is available at the farm as well as at a Seattle location to be announced soon.
Editor’s note: On April 4, 2022, Fall City Farms announced that it will not have a CSA this year, but they will be hosting pizza nights, a barn store and U-pick vegetables. Dates and times for these events will be announced on the website.
5. Clean Greens Farm & Market
Founded in 2007 by a group of local African-American small business owners, Clean Greens is a nonprofit operated primarily by volunteers living in Seattle’s Central District. The organization provides organic produce for those without access in the Seattle community. Offering two size options, the Clean Greens CSA program runs for 16 weeks, June–October. With prices ranging $480–$640 a share, Clean Greens is an ideal way to support local farmers.
6. Whistling Train Farm
Spread over 15 acres between the railroad tracks in Kent’s Green River Valley, Whistling Train has been in business for more than 20 years and prides itself on growing things you can’t find in the grocery store. The farm offers a 22-week Main Season CSA share. The shares come in three sizes starting at $450, with pre-packed box pickups available at drop sites in West Seattle, spots in Capitol Hill, Columbia City, North Seattle, U District, Wallingford or at the farm. Members who pick up at the farm can customize their boxes with a market-style setup and all-you-can-pick peas, beans and cut flowers. While the boxes are limited to vegetables, a seasonal honor system farm stand offers fruit and eggs for purchase with a 15 percent discount for all CSA members. Main Season CSA subscribers also have the option to add flowers to their subscriptions to receive a handcrafted bouquet a week for 16 weeks.
Page ahead for more local CSAs
More great CSAs serving Puget Sound–area families
7. Wild Hare Organic Farm
This family-owned farm in Tacoma’s Puyallup River Valley sprouts up hundreds of varieties of vegetables, fruits and herbs for its year-round CSA offerings. Members can buy a share for each of the four seasons, or a full year’s worth. Summer shares run from the beginning of June into late September; the fall share makes up the rest of the calendar year. Families can choose from two share sizes starting at $360; add-on options include salad mix, pasture-raised eggs from Wild Hare’s own hens, and artisan breads, rolls and pizza crusts (with gluten-free options available!). Boxes can be picked up at the farm, or at the North 47 Brewing Co. in Tacoma during the spring, summer and fall seasons. If you are interested in joining, make sure you add yourself to the waitlist today. People on the waitlist will be contacted when new shares become available.
8. First Light Farm
Voted King County’s Rural Small Business of the Year, First Light Farm in Carnation offers CSA boxes in two sizes: Full Family Appetite for up to 12 items and Regular for up to 9, with weekly rates ranging $30–$45. An additional $45/ year gets you a very-worth-it farm membership that gives members multiple perks, including getting to choose the veggies in their order; add-on options such as mushrooms, eggs, pasture-raised meats and even herbal teas (all locally grown); discounts on farm classes and activities; and member-only access to the U-pick fields. There are pickup sites in Greenwood, Ballard and at the farm; or get it straight to your door for a $5/week delivery fee.
9. Pacific Coast Harvest
Seattle-based Pacific Coast Harvest unites 25 Washington farmers in its flexible subscription program. Boxes packed with a wide variety of produce and other gourmet treats are available on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly delivery schedule, with a choice of four sizes and a “Cascadia” or “Pacific Coast” box depending on how close to home you want to keep your picks. While not everything from the more than 200 items on menu is locally grown, with farther-away picks such as avocados and citrus on the list, the focus on local, seasonal produce comes first; members can even customize their orders to include wild-foraged, hyperlocal, local or regional items, with each product featuring a source and story behind it. Add-ons are plentiful, including everything from eggs and dairy to pantry staples, or the farmer’s pick for those who like an element of surprise. Prices start at $22 per box.
10. Mariposa Farm
Mariposa Farm is a local farm working to offer fresh, high-quality vegetables to Washington families. After migrating from Mexico, its founders created a beautiful farm in Everson where they strive to provide local produce to the Washington community. Mariposa Farm offers a delivery CSA subscription beginning in June and ending in late September. With two size options: Small/Medium at $30 per week and Large at $45 per week, there’s something for everyone. They offer eight convenient pickup locations scattered from Everson to West Seattle, so grabbing your box is no problem.
11. The Root Connection
Root Connection has been operating a CSA program on its 20-acre site in the Sammamish Valley since 1987. Members can order CSA boxes June–October. You can pick up at the farm or designated spots in Lynnwood and North Seattle. Prices for a full share (a weekly box) for the season start at $1,046 and vary depending on whether you pay at one time or in installments, and by cash or credit card. Weekly veggie boxes are generous, and fruit boxes are also available to members for an additional fee.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in June 2020 and updated in May 2022. Ella Gonchar contributed to this article.
