We’ve made shopping easy! Fresh & local – straight from the Farmers every Wednesday. Specialty Produce has created a new program similar to Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), which we are calling "Farmers' Market Box of the Week". We have the ability to combine produce from several farms which allows us a wider reach in support of California agriculture, on top of creating a hassle free farmers' market experience for you! Did I mention, you get all this for only $20?
Pre-ordered & weekly reserved boxes will be ready for pickup from 8-6pm on Thursday or Friday at our warehouse, just in time for the weekend! You can even see what’s in the box before you order! Check out the latest video on Facebook or YouTube on Wednesday afternoon. Sign up or learn more about your weekly box, chock full of fresh produce by emailing melissa@specialtyproduce.com. Help us support California farms & farmers!
More than twenty years strong and getting stronger, Community Supported Agriculture, (CSA) connects a community with the local farming industry, forming a partnership with the common concern to stabilize the local farming marketplace and to provide safe food. CSA's vital community concept is to build a local and equitable agricultural system.
Community Supported Agriculture was introduced to the United States by Jan VanderTuin from Switzerland in 1984. Dating back to the 1960s, European women’s neighborhood groups encouraged farmers to generate and establish a bonding relationship with consumers. In the United States, the beginning of this worthy community collaboration between producers and consumers began in 1986 when two CSA projects delivered harvest shares from Robyn Van En's Indian Line Farm in Massachusetts and the Temple/Wilton Community Farm in New Hampshire.
As members of CSA, growers and consumers provide mutual support of the local food production. By direct sales to community members, growers receive better prices for their crops, have increased financial security and are assisted in marketing their valuable harvests. CSA's main goal is to maintain the community's productive and profitable small farms. Participating farms are helped in developing their highest ecological capability and encourage other local farmers and growers to become members. In turn, consumers enjoy food that is super fresh, rich in flavor and vitamins, get introduced to different products, learn new cooking ideas, and get their kids to appreciate farm-fresh healthy eating.
Typically the member is considered to be a "shareholder", and the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm-grown products may also be included. Interested consumers purchase a share also called a membership or a subscription and are entitled to receive a box of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season.
In order to foster collaboration between chefs, consumers & growers we keep extensive records on where each farmers' market item comes from. The Specialty Produce website links each product to a farm, shows what restaurants are serving it on their menu, and gives you recommended links to recipes. Enjoy & get to know where your food comes from!
