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Typical Contents by Season
The majority of Alberta CSAs offer vegetables and fruit, usually all grown on the farm. What a
farm grows is dictated by geography and the land, as well as a farmer’s preferences.
Some CSAs act as co-operatives, bringing together a variety of food products from multiple farms
so that subscribers have access to a wider array of foods over a longer season.
Some CSAs include meat, cheese, eggs, dairy products, grain, flowers, and pulses to supplement
their vegetables. The occasional CSA specializes, offering only cheese, meats, dairy, grain, etc.
In early spring (late May-June) baskets may include rhubarb, asparagus, peas, herbs, nettles,
radishes, green onions, lettuces, and other quick-growing greens.
July baskets change from week to week as produce comes into and goes out of season. A normal
basket would include chard, herbs, summer squash, lettuce, spinach, greens, tomatoes, new
potatoes, early beets or beet tops, berries, cucumbers, and peas.
In August, the produce shifts to hot weather plants such as: hardy greens, squash, tomatoes, herbs,
beets, broccoli, carrots, chard, rhubarb, radishes, beans, cauliflower, and berries.
September sees the arrival of corn, apples, peppers, squash, pumpkins, celery, onions, rutabagas,
winter squash, chard, and garlic; along with more potatoes, herbs, and tomatoes. Some growers
seed successively so that crops are available for longer times.
In October, hardy greens may continue, along with root vegetables – beets, carrots, turnips,
rutabagas, potatoes, onions, and garlic.
Some CSAs may preserve some of their goods by freezing, canning, or drying for distribution in
later months.
Unique Events
Some CSA arrangements require on-farm labour by subscribers. One or more work days may be a
requirement for each family. Seeding, weekly picking, weeding and end of season clean-up are
some of the ways subscribers provide on-farm assistance.
Others offer an annual optional ‘farm visit day’ to their subscribers, with or without a labour
component, usually including a meal.
Both options give urban residents a chance to see the garden, the animals, and the farm itself.
Some farms may also offer lessons in animal husbandry, driving draft animals, harvesting, and
preserving.