Wood Duck Farm

April 10th, 2011

This past week we began our Spring CSA, aka our farm delivery program. Our first deliveries included salad greens, sugar snap/snow peas, broccoli, micro radish, spring onions, strawberries and spinach.    Click Here to Read More and See Updated Farm Pictures 

"FARM DELIVERY PROGRAM (CSA)"

Another name for our neighborhood farm delivery program is CSA, which stands for Community Supported Agriculture. This concept originated about 20 years ago when consumers desired to have a better idea of where, and how, their food was being produced. A CSA is a direct partnership between the consumer and the farmer where members pay in advance for a share of the upcoming harvest, thus the farmer is ensured a consistent market and the consumer receives high-quality local produce. Many of our Houston neighborhood pick-up locations receive their veggies within 24 hrs. of harvesting.

"HOW IT WORKS"

·        CSA memberships go for ten-week increments and are typically purchased in advance.

·        Three types of shares are offered, Full Shares @ $330 @ 10 wks, Partial Shares $240 @ 10 wks, Alternating Week Shares $180 @ 5 wks out of the 10. 

·        CSA members are kept abreast of the farm activities via periodic emails.

·        Once the ten-week program begins, CSA members will be alerted well in advance that their shares will be available for pick up at their neighborhood CSA locations.

·        On the day of pick-up, CSA members arrive at their locations and find boxes organized in their respective sizes, Full Share or Partial Share.

·        Pick up is based on the honor system; CSA members check their name, designating their receipt, when they retrieve their veggies.

·        Depending on what location, a host may be there to assist with any questions.

·        Recycling is urged, so some members bring their own tote bag or cooler to transfer their veggies, leaving the box for later reuse.

·        Customers receive a mid week email that includes a recipe ideas that might be tried with that week's share. Members sometimes joke that "pick up day" is when they get to "play iron chef." 

·        The process repeats itself every week on the same day and timeframe.

·        At the completion of the ten delivery weeks, the program is finalized and the next program soon begins. 

CSA MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES:

· A weekly or bi-weekly share, your choice, of seasonal naturally grown vegetable, fruits and herbs.

· A weekly newsletter that includes recipes and details about how to store and handle your produce.

· Convenient online payment.

· Member events such as a seasonal open house at our home and farm so you can see where your food is grown and meet the people who produce it.

HOW MANY VEGGIES ARE WE TALKING ABOUT HERE?

Each week, members receive a parcel with a variety of 7-12 seasonal, naturally grown vegetables and herbs. Depending on eating habits, we offer different shares sizes. A Full size share is generally sufficient for about two vegetables sides for 4-5 meals for a family of four.  A Partial share is about 1/3rd less, so it may be a better fit for two adults. The Alternating Week Shares is the same size as a Full Share, just delivered ½ as much, or for the five odd numbered weeks in the ten-week program, i.e. 1,3,5,7,9.  Many members split a share with their neighbor, friend or relative.

PLANTED FOR OUR SPRING 2011 SEASON

Cucumbers, Green beans, Kale, Tomatoes, New Potatoes, Arugula , Basil , Peppers , Eggplant, Radishes, Salad mix, Green garlic, Boc Choy, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Mustard Greens, Spinach, Summer Squash, Carrots, Fennel, Dill, Turnips, Swiss Chard, Zucchini, Romaine Head Lettuce, Beets, Cabbage, Spring Onions,  Micro Greens, and Cilantro

More information can be found on our website in our FAQ section at http://www.woodduckfarm.com/faq.php 

For a link to showing all of our CSA Pick Up locations, visit CSA Pickup Locations 

CSA SIgn-Up & Enrollment? Visit this link  CSA Registration .   

Grass Fed Meat/Egg Subscription Program: We listened to your comments and have created two options, 1) our Full Share priced at $210 for a three-month program and/or 2) our Poultry Share priced at $165 for three months. You can add on a dozen eggs with either program (a dozen eggs for the entire 3 month program for $15.)  You can go to this link Meat Subscription Svc to read more. Too much meat for your family? Consider splitting a share with a friend. The first month will likely be March, which should coincide with our Veggie CSA deliveries

Twitter?: Find us  @WoodduckFM.

WDF has facebook page, but this link will take you to Van's page, from there you need to search for Wood Duck Farm. Go figure huh.

All the Best,

Van Weldon

Cell 713 876 8645

www.woodduckfarm.com

email csa@woodduckfarm.com

PS If you have moved or not interested in receiving our updates, please click the "unsubscribe" link above to "option out" of any future emails.