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If you live in the Midwest but aren’t yet embracing the availability of farm-fresh food, up your game and enjoy the fresh produce from Mother Earth. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) makes locally grown, fresh food easy to access. CSAs allow consumers to purchase local, seasonal food directly from farmers by offering “shares” to the public, typically featuring vegetables and fruit. The shares are delivered to a set pickup location, weekly or bi-weekly, depending on the schedule included in the share purchase. It’s a mutual relationship as the consumer supports local farmers while also enjoying ultra-fresh produce, saving money, and saving time. We’ve rounded up information on local CSAs so you can find one to fit your needs.
Toledo GROWS
The word “farm” does not immediately conjure up images of an urban setting, but maybe it should. Toledo GROWS focuses on community gardening, transforming neglected areas into bountiful, green space. While the summer share sold out already, check back in July for information about the late summer share, which runs August-October. Individual produce items can also be ordered weekly, depending on availability, through the online store. Farm-fresh eggs can be added to CSA orders.
Runs: June-October
Share sizes: Full share, 9 weeks first (June 12 – Aug. 7) or second half (Aug. 14 – Oct. 9), $250, 18 weeks (June 12-Oct.9) $450. Half share, 9 weeks first (June 12 – Aug. 7) or second half (Aug. 14 – Oct. 9) for $175, 18 weeks (June 12-Oct. 9) $300.
Pickup location: Urban Farm, 900 Oneida St.
419-720-8714 | toledogrows.org
Toledo GROWS top tips for vegetable garden success:
- When planting seeds always follow the directions on the package which are specific to the seeds you are trying to germinate and oer the best chance at success.
- Space out your vegetables for a good yield. At maturity, they should all receive sunlight and air flow on every side of each plant.
- In the summer, water your garden in the morning or early afternoon before the heat of the day. Hydrated plants are less prone to stress due to a lack of water, a condition that can result in poor growth.
- Water the base of the plants to keep leaves dry while using a perforated hose head so the water hits the ground in a soft strike, disturbing fewer soil pathogens, which cause diseases, preventing them from splashing the plant’s leaves.
Riehm Produce Farm
Say goodbye to grocery store shopping this summer. Riehm Produce Farm provides fruit, meat, eggs, coffee, bread and even flowers as an addition to your CSA share. Each delivery also comes with culinary tips and tutorials so you can make the most out of your vegetables.
Runs: June – October, November -May
Share Sizes: Small Box: $49 bi-weekly (Nov.-May) and $29 weekly (May-Oct.) // Medium Box: $69 bi-weekly (Nov.-May) and $49 weekly (May- Oct.) // Large Box: $99 bi-weekly (Nov.-May) and $69 weekly (May Oct.)
Pickup locations: Ottawa Hills and Sylvania (Mondays), Findlay (Tuesdays), Bowling Green (Wednesdays), Perrysburg, Maumee, and at the farm in Tiffin (Thursdays)
Riehm Produce Farm, 7244 N. State Route 53, Tiffin, OH
419-992-4392 | funacres.net
Goetz Family Farm
Michigan-based Goetz Family Farm has worked the same plot of land since 1905, but transitioned from grain and livestock to produce in the late 1970s. Today, the farm’s fresh vegetables, bedding plants, hanging baskets, herbs, and more are loved by both families and restaurants, like Zingerman’s, Grange Kitchen and Bar, Lunch Room, Spencer’s, and the Detroit Street Filling Station.
Goetz Family Farm delivers primarily in Michigan cities, but they also deliver to Country Grains Bread Company, in Sylvania, every Wednesday. Pick up some of the best loaves in town (Sin’O’Man, anyone?) while retrieving your share of fresh produce.
Runs: June-October
Share sizes: $480/year full share, weekly pickup // $250/year half share, bi-weekly pickup // Early Bird discount price before May 1, 2025 ($465 full share or $235 half share).
Pickup locations: Online and phone orders for produce, bedding and vegetable plants can be picked up at a variety of locations in Michigan. Visit facebook.com/GoetzCSA for a list.
Goetz Family Farm, 8852 Goetz Rd., Riga, MI
419-367-0269 | facebook.com/GoetzCSA
Garden Next Door
First generation vegetable farm in Swanton, growing vegetables behind the home they live and raise their children in. The vegetable arm focuses on CSA subscriptions as well as participating in local Farms Markets. Visit them at the Toledo Farmers’ marks at Wesetgate on Wednesdays and downtown on Saturdays. Honey, eggs and flowers can also be added onto shares for an extra price.
Runs: June-September
Share sizes: $408/year, 17 baskets
Pickup locations: At the farm (Thursdays 4-6pm), Toledo-Westgate Farmers Market (Wednesdays 4-6pm)
Garden Next Door, 1536 County Road L, Swanton, OH
567-287-1011 | https://www.facebook.com/gardennextdoorcsa/
Bittersweet Farms
Bittersweet Farms is a model farm that employs adults with autism, aiming to positively impact their lives. Sign up for a Bittersweet CSA and let their produce positively impact your life.
Runs: May-June
Share sizes: Small Brown Bag $15.63 a week or $140 for 8 weeks, Medium Box $25 a week or $220 for 8 weeks, Large Crate $27.50 a week or $330 for 8 weeks
Pickup locations: At the farm in Whitehouse, 12660 Archbold-Whitehouse Rd.
Bittersweet Farms top tips for vegetable garden success:
- To deter pests, plant marigolds near your vegetable plants. Insects and small animals do not like the smell of the flowers.
- Plant nasturtiums as a companion plant for lettuce, kale, broccoli, cabbage, and other plants in the brassica family that are susceptible to aphids, because aphids will be more attracted to the flowers than the veggies in the bed. Nasturtiums also attract beneficial insects that eat aphids and other pests, along with attracting pollinators to your garden.
- Consider starting with heartier plants, like lettuce and radishes, that can withstand unpredictable weather. Cold-tolerant plants are beneficial in the uncertain weather of spring. Grown together as companion plants, radish tops provide some shade for the lettuce as it grows, preventing it from bolting and becoming bitter.
Bittersweet Farms, 12660 Archbold-Whitehouse Rd., Whitehouse, OH 419-875-6986 | Bittersweetfarms.org
Jentzen Farms
This third-generation family farm prides itself on sustainable practices. They hand weed, rotate crops yearly, use compost and manure instead of chemical fertilizers, and employ rotating pasture techniques.
Runs: July-October
Share sizes: $425 full size 16 week share // $275 half size 16 week share
Pickup Locations: Tuesdays: Island Lake, Novi, MI and Jentzen Farms, Monroe, MI. Wednesdays: Metamora Green, Beverly Hills, MI. Saturdays: Eastern Market, Detroit, MI., Toledo Farmers’ Market, Toledo, OH.
Jentzen Farms, 7900 Dixen Rd., Monroe, MI
Shared Legacy Farms
Pre-sales are now open for Shared Legacy Farms 2024 CSA run. Enjoy fresh veggies delivered to your house weekly. Fruit, egg, coffee, cheese, olive oil and flower shares are also available.
Runs: July-October
Share sizes: $610 Veggie Box standard size, 18 weeks or $1160 large size, 18 weeks // $150 CSA Sampler, 4 weeks // $400 Fruit Share weekly, 16 weeks or $200 Bi-weekly, 8 weeks // $625 Chicken Share, 5 months Pickup locations: Tuesdays: At the farm, 530-630pm, Sylvania: Five Lakes Church, 515-630pm. Thursdays: Perrysburg: Grace Church, 5-630pm
Shared Legacy Farms, 3107 S. Schultz-Portage Rd., Elmore, OH 419-344-7092 | sharedlegacyfarms.com
Muddy River Farms
Muddy River Farms in Waterville uses biodynamic inputs, deep compost, semi no-till, and regenerative farming practices to provide healthy produce for the community. Muddy River is in its fifth CSA year, with a new Free Choice CSA program available. The farm’s stand is open daily, and information regarding full-season or monthly shares can be found at www.muddyriverfarms.com.
Runs: May-October
Share sizes: $30/week, 20 weeks // $124.01 monthly // $587.06 Full Season
Pickup locations: At the farm, Wednesdays 330-8pm
Muddy River Farms, 9400 Noward Road, Waterville, OH 419-996-9279 | www.muddyriverfarms.com
