2023 Reap & Sow Farm CSA Information

 

Overview

For the 2023 season we’ve decided to change how our CSA functions - we now have a free choice CSA! After 4 years of packing bags for CSA members we’ve decided that it would be better and easier for both the farmers and the customers to have customers select what they want at each pick-up as opposed to getting whatever we stick into a bag. By utilizing this CSA model CSA members have more control over what they receive and we farmers don’t have to spend as much time coordinating and delivering packed bags.

We have also decided to stop delivering CSA shares in Essex, Burlington, South Burlington, and Winooski. At the end of the last season we did a deep analysis of this program and it showed us that our home delivery program was not worth it. We’re sorry that we couldn’t continue this program, but we have another option! WE are excited to announce our new Free Choice CSA Program at the Burlington Farmers Market. Please click here to be redirected to the information about that program.

Distribution Locations and Dates:

  • Middlebury / Cornwall (Pickup at Windfall Orchard) - Every other Friday starting 6/16. (6/16, 6/30, 7/14, 7/28, 8/11, 8/25, 9/8, 9/22, 10/6)

  • Monkton (On-Farm Pickup - Rotax Rd.) - Every other Friday starting 6/16. (6/16, 6/30, 7/14, 7/28, 8/11, 8/25, 9/8, 9/22, 10/6)

How and when do I get my produce?

A common complaint we’ve heard over the years about CSAs is that they inundate you with produce each week and much of it goes to waste. This makes us sad, so our CSA has distributions every other week. All you need to do is show up with your own bag or two and select what you want!

Pickup at Windfall will take place between 4 and 6 pm, while pickup on the farm will run from 3 pm until 6 pm.

How exactly does the free choice function? Are there multiple share sizes?

For 2023 we are offering three share sizes - large, medium and small. A large share will be entitled to 10 items each pickup, while a medium share will be entitled to 7 items each distribution. A small share will receive 5 items per pickup. On any given CSA pickup day we will make some of nearly everything that we have coming out of the field. For instance, on a distribution day in August we may have the following options:

  • Heirloom Tomatoes

  • Cherry Tomatoes

  • Jalapeno Peppers

  • Shishito Peppers

  • Summer Squash

  • Cucumbers

  • Salad Mix

  • Cipollini Onions

  • Dragon’s Tongue Romano Beans

  • New Potatoes

  • Baby Carrots

  • Eggplant

  • Parsley

  • Cilantro

  • Basil

  • Celery

A large share can select any 10 items from the list. They can be 10 different items, or not! For example that large share could select the following:

  1. Cherry Tomatoes

  2. Shishito Peppers

  3. Salad Mix

  4. New Potatoes

  5. Cilantro

  6. Cucumbers

  7. Dragon’s Tongue Romano Beans

  8. Baby Carrots

  9. Celery

  10. Basil

Alternatively, they could have picked

  1. Cherry tomatoes x 2

  2. New Potatoes x 2

  3. Salad Mix

  4. Dragon’s Tongue Romano Beans

  5. Basil

  6. Cucumbers x 2

  7. Basil

In both instances the customer took ten items, but in their own unique way! We do ask that you please take no more than 3 of any given item so that we don’t run out for the people who pick up their share after you.

Extra Produce


Need some extra produce one week? Perhaps the in-laws are visiting and you need an extra bag of salad mix? Or maybe you’re hosting a Saturday barbeque and you need a heaping pile of fresh onions and summer squash? We’ve got you covered - we’re going to bring extra produce and you’ll be able to purchase more beyond your allotted amount when you come to pick up.

Recipes

One of our recipes for CSA 2022: Grilled Summer Squash with a Tomato and Raspberry Ezme and Thyme Breadcrumbs

Each share will have a recipe in it that has been generated by our team of chefs. The recipes will highlight one or more of the crops we will have available that week. It’s also one of our goals to help to give you ideas on how some of the pieces of your share can be put together.

Windfall Orchard - Apples, Pizza, and more

For 2023 we have once again partnered with Windfall Orchard in Cornwall. Windfall will serve as one of our pickup locations and pickups here will happen on Fridays. While there you can pick up any products that Windfall has for sale - from pizzas to cider to stews. We think that some of the best food in Vermont comes from the kitchen at Windfall Orchard and we highly suggest picking up your share at this beautiful property.

In 2020 Windfall Orchard started selling par-baked pizzas cooked in their pizza oven. The dough is carefully made on-site and the majority of the toppings come from their own gardens. All you need to do to enjoy is to pop your pie in the oven to finish! It’s the best pizza any of us have had in Vermont in a long time.

What if I need to miss a distribution?

Sometimes life is just too busy to make it to CSA - so then what? We can reallocate the value of that missed pickup to another week.