Know your farmer, know your food!
Hatchet Cove Farm’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program is a great way to receive farm-fresh, nutritious, organic vegetables at a great value. When you become a CSA member (by buying a ’share’ in the farm for the season) we become your farmers, and Hatchet Cove Farm becomes your farm.
How does it work? When you purchase a CSA share you help support our farm by paying up front for your veggies in the spring. That helps us pay for seed and cover the expenses of starting up the farm for the season. In return, you get a weekly selection of all that is available on the farm. This means you are eating the freshest, most delicious seasonal veggies possible.
Members also can receive surplus vegetables to put by for winter, and have the option to order organic blueberries, pork, and other add-ons. Members receive a weekly letter full of news from the farm and recipes and are welcome at the farm for visits, to volunteer, and at our annual garlic-planting party!
How much does it cost? $325 in 2010 per “small family share” (typically enough for a family of 2) plus $1/week ($18 total) if we deliver to your home. We can accept food stamps to pay for CSA shares, so please let us know if you’re interested in that option.
Also, if you work at Miles Hospital or a MaineHealth affiliated facility, you recieve $50 towards your CSA cost from your employe. Contact us for more information!
How long does it last? 18 weeks (mid-June through mid-October). We also offer a fall share (mid-October to mid-November, $60) for those who wish to continue on.
How will I get my share? We deliver shares to the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Rockland on Sunday mornings (10:30-11:30am). Another option is to pick up at the farm on Monday evenings (5-7pm). We also have delivery routes to homes in Waldoboro, Damariscotta, Friendship, Warren, Cushing, to Bowdoin College in Brunswick and the Shelter Institute in Woolwich.
How and when can I sign up for the coming season? Sign-up has begun for the 2010 season. Please email or call us with any questions, or to become a member!
What kinds of vegetables can I expect? When you are a CSA member you share in the both the risks and the bounty of the farm. For example, if you love broccoli and it is a great year for broccoli, you might receive it for a number of weeks in a row, enough to eat your fill and still freeze some for the winter. If it is a tough year for broccoli, though, (due to weather, pests, etc.) you might only get to enjoy it once that season. We work very hard at growing a wide variety of veggies, and every year have provided far more veggies to our members than the same amount of money would have bought at farmer’s market.
To see an example of the veggies you might receive in a week, at the bottom of each of our archived newsletters there is a list of what was in that week’s share. So click on any newsletter posting to see what a average week might include.
Some of the veggies we grow for our CSA members: Mesclun Mix, Spinach, Boc Choy, Arugula, Lettuce Heads, Beets, Kale (four different varieties), Swiss Chard, Broccoli, Cabbage (red and green), Herbs, Scallions, Sugar Snap Peas, Radishes, Basil, Carrots, Cauliflower, Potatoes, Sweet and Hot Peppers, Zucchini and Summer Squash, Green Beans, Garlic, Slicing and Cherry Tomatoes (heirloom and hybrid), Winter Squash, Onions, Kohlrabi, Celery, Sweet Corn, Edamame, Dry Beans, Celeriac, Fennel, Shallots, and more!
Some quotes from Hatchet Cove Farm CSA members:
CSA pickup at the Rockland UU Church
“Thanks you guys for a great summer of veggies — again this year it was the highlight of my week and your recipes are amazing… thanks again!” – Melissa Holt
“We were so pleased and thrilled with your CSA. We love the freshness, variety, and amounts.” -Cheryl Parker
“Had your new potatoes last night – to die for. I boast of our arrangement as an example of one of the true advantages of living in the paradise that is Maine. Thanks for what you contribute to our lives.” – John Meyn
“We loved the experience, from delivery (like “Christmas” when it arrived!) to the lovely recipes we enjoyed all summer. Yum, yum! Thank you!” – Liga Jahnke
“With our crazy life this summer, receiving this incredible food: 1. made us remember to eat our veggies and 2. sustained us physically when things got out of control!” – Patti Montana
Interested in joining or have more questions? Contact us at
info@hatchetcovefarm.com
