To celebrate the bounty of spring + summer produce, we’ve rounded up our favorite ways to eat locally. Whether you’re ready to dig in the dirt yourself or you’d just like to get closer to the source of your food, here you’ll find options for every season and commitment level.
Food for thought
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Local farms offer up shares of their crops — like a subscription or membership — to the community each season. Your subscription gets you a box of specially-selected local goodies. They vary per farm, but CSA boxes contain everything from fruits and vegetables to meat + eggs.
Summer CSAs are right around the corner, so we’ve got six that offer home delivery or local pick-up in Madison.
🍓 Circadian Organics | 57196 Rush Creek Rd., Ferryville | Early June-late October | $230+ | Leafy greens, root veggies, and peppers | Pick a schedule that works for you — weekly or biweekly — with two sizes of boxes for a consistent supply of local and fresh vegetables. Boxes can be picked up on Wednesdays at two Madison locations or add-on delivery for $6/box.
Pro tip: Add on the bread CSA from in partnership with Rhythm Bakery or treat yourself to a flower share for the summer.
🍓 Steadfast Acres | 33408 WI 130, Lone Rock | Early June-mid October | $250+ | Salad fixings, squash, and tomatoes | A flexible option with a petite, medium, or large share of Thursday vegetable deliveries. CSA’ers can also sub out vegetables through a “market share” membership or participate in an exchange share membership to work on the farm.
🍓 Squashington Farm | 1129 Lafollette Rd., Mt. Horeb | June 7-Oct. 18 | $275+ | Tomatoes, carrots + root veggies | Apples, breads, and art, oh my. With a classic produce share for veggie heads, look to add on an apple share or sign up to receive a vegetable art add-on from local artist Katie Schofield. Sign up for a farmer’s choice option or opt to customize your box with a market-style option.
Pro tip: All CSA members receive 10% from their tent at the Mount Horeb Farmer’s Market.
🍓 Christensen Farm | N2755 County Rd. M, Browntown | 17 weeks, starting in June | $124+ | Asparagus, strawberries, and sweet potatoes | The MOSA and USDA organic certified farm offers full and half-season shares with a one-time delivery of meat and farm-fresh eggs. Not ready to commit to a CSA share yet? Purchase a market share (Monroe only) to have flexibility in what and when you buy.
🍓 Blue Moon Community Farm | 3856 Schneider Dr., Stoughton | June 15-October 12 | $335+ | Eggs, seasonal fruit, and summer greens | A farm-centered CSA with distribution at the farm on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Start with a basic share to try out 20 different crops and add on egg and apple shares to up your box.
🍓 Westridge Organic Farm | 26820 Kasts Ln., Blue River | May 27-October 7 | $350+ | Farm fresh veggies and eggs | Shares for the summer season are delivered on Thursdays to drop sites in Boscobel, Muscoda, Middleton, and Madison. Try 40+ vegetables and herbs over the season or find the gardeners at the DCFM.
Check out Fair Share CSA Coalition — a resource listing out farms in the state + sharing tips and tricks on picking the right CSA for you. If price or commitment seems daunting, consider sharing with a friend. Many farms also offer a la carte produce through their online shop, or can be found at the farmers’ markets around the city. Happy eating. 🥕
