Koch Ranches Community Supported Agriculture
Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, is an alternative food system... It represents an informal agreement forged on an annual basis between a farmer and a group of members to produce and distribute food. Members, sometimes referred to as shareholders, are people concerned about where their food comes from, how it is grown, and by whom. They recognize the connections between their food choices and the economic system that supports it...." - The Community Supported Agriculture Handbook, The Center for Sustainable Living, Wilson College
Community Supported Agriculture is a system in which consumers receive local food from the farmers who produce it. But unlike a farmers' market system, supporters of community agriculture actually share in part of the farmers' risk. That is, they pay in advance for a portion of the farmer's total crop. Crops that do well will be abundant in the share, crops that do less well will be less abundant.
Naturally raised, wholesome foods.
Why eat within Community?? For some people it is the experience of tasting good produce... like the rich flavor that a tomato has out of the garden versus one that was picked green 1500 miles away, ripened in the back of a tractor trailer, and delivered to the produce section of any grocery. Others would say it is simply because they want to know where their food is coming from and how it is being grown. While others are choosing this method of eating as a way to reduce their environmental load, i.e.- cutting down on gas consumption in the transport of foreign goods or supporting farmers who are environmentally conscious in their land practices.
Why eat within Community?? For some people it is the experience of tasting good produce... like the rich flavor that a tomato has out of the garden versus one that was picked green 1500 miles away, ripened in the back of a tractor trailer, and delivered to the produce section of any grocery. Others would say it is simply because they want to know where their food is coming from and how it is being grown. While others are choosing this method of eating as a way to reduce their environmental load, i.e.- cutting down on gas consumption in the transport of foreign goods or supporting farmers who are environmentally conscious in their land practices.
If you believe that it is important to eat within community we would like to provide you with the experience of eating locally grown, fresh produce on a weekly basis. Our produce is grown in a sustainable manner with organic practices. You will receive quality goods that have been grown on our farm or on other local farms.
Education.
Part of the experience of being a member of a CSA is learning about eating locally and in-season. For example, some produce you will simply never get in your produce box. Why? Some items cannot be grown in South Texas. The idea of 'in season' brings up the next point. What you receive weekly will depend on what is 'in season'. For example, during midsummer one should not expect to get asparagus as that is an early season cool weather crop. Joining a CSA is truly an educational experience. If you have never grown a garden this is your chance not only to eat exceptional quality food but also to find out what can be grown and harvested at certain times of year without having to do any work.
Part of the experience of being a member of a CSA is learning about eating locally and in-season. For example, some produce you will simply never get in your produce box. Why? Some items cannot be grown in South Texas. The idea of 'in season' brings up the next point. What you receive weekly will depend on what is 'in season'. For example, during midsummer one should not expect to get asparagus as that is an early season cool weather crop. Joining a CSA is truly an educational experience. If you have never grown a garden this is your chance not only to eat exceptional quality food but also to find out what can be grown and harvested at certain times of year without having to do any work.
Membership
In order to defer the cost of supplies and account set-up, we ask all new members to join our CSA by paying a $50 membership fee. The fee will be waived for consecutive renewals by shareholders but, will be required if the subscription is suspended and re-initiated at a later time. The fee will also be waived when changing from a half-share to a full share. There will be a charge for supplies when changing from a full-share to a half-share. Changing between standard and mixed shares is free of a membership fee or service charge.
The Share
The meat only share includes 6 meats, one of which will be substituted with a dozen eggs every 2 weeks. The meat only half share will include 4 meats, one of which will be substituted with a ½ dozen eggs every 2 weeks.
The mixed share includes the full or half share of produce plus meat and eggs. The full share includes 3 meats, one of which will be substituted with 1 dozen eggs every other week. The half share includes 2 meats, one of which will be substituted with ½ a dozen eggs every other week.
The Season.
Since here in South Texas, we are able to grow produce year-round, we divide the “season” into 5 sub-seasons of 10 weeks each. (We don’t deliver 2 weeks in late December, early January). Some weeks produce amounts will be slightly less than others due to what can be harvested at the time. For example spring-summer deliveries will contain more produce and variation than winter deliveries. Our combination Shares which include meat and eggs will often supplement with additional of those commodities in the weeks that the produce is reduced.
Since here in South Texas, we are able to grow produce year-round, we divide the “season” into 5 sub-seasons of 10 weeks each. (We don’t deliver 2 weeks in late December, early January). Some weeks produce amounts will be slightly less than others due to what can be harvested at the time. For example spring-summer deliveries will contain more produce and variation than winter deliveries. Our combination Shares which include meat and eggs will often supplement with additional of those commodities in the weeks that the produce is reduced.
Payment& Cost.
Payment is due at the time of commitment. Subscriptions will be held by payment only. A la carte orders can be ordered via email and picked up with the share or can be chosen from the selection available at the pickup location that day. At this time, all payments for a la carte items will be due on pickup.
Payment is due at the time of commitment. Subscriptions will be held by payment only. A la carte orders can be ordered via email and picked up with the share or can be chosen from the selection available at the pickup location that day. At this time, all payments for a la carte items will be due on pickup.
|
Item |
Cost |
|
CSA Full Share per 10 week period |
$350.00 |
|
CSA Half Share per 10 week period |
$250.00 |
|
CSA Meat Only Full Share |
$450.00 |
|
CSA Meat Only Half Share |
$325.00 |
|
CSA Full Mixed Share per 10 week period |
$550.00 |
|
CSA Half Mixed Share per 10 week period |
$400.00 |
|
A la carte Eggs (when available) |
$6.00 |
A La Carte Orders.
We have additional meat available a la carte for those who are interested in supplementing their combination share or if you prefer to only purchase meat sporadically rather than make it part of your weekly share. Note: There is an inherent discount on the meat in the “share” that is not available in a la carte purchases.
San Antonio, TX Area Pick Up/Drop Off Locations
|
City/Location |
Place |
Day |
Time |
|
Helotes Farmers Market (April – October only, alternate pickup locations and times will be made November – March) |
Helotes Hills Methodist Church, 13222 Bandera Road |
Fridays |
830a.m. - 12 noon |
|
Pearl Brewery Farmers Market |
Pearl Brewery, Grayson Street |
Saturdays |
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
|
Quarry Market |
Whole Foods, Quarry Market, 255 East Basse Road |
Sundays |
8 a.m. - 12 noon |
|
Legacy Market |
Legacy Shopping Center near Lifetime Fitness, NE corner of 281 and 1604 |
Sundays |
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. |
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to email us at sales@kochranches.net or click on the contact us link at the bottom of this page. Thank you for your interest. We look forward to getting to know you and having you as part of our CSA family.
--The Koch Family