Subscribing to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program is next level. Farmers use the strategy of subscriptions to offer the very best prices on their produce while creating a steady income flow to grow crops. It’s a partnership in which customers can enjoy locally grown organic produce, know exactly where it’s coming from, reduce the carbon footprint of their produce, and support the hardworking people who grow fresh produce all year.

San Diego County has several CSAs offering boxes of different sizes with flexible weekly pickup or delivery schedules. Some allow custom orders and special add-ons like honey, jam, and bread. Varying CSA perks may include access to recipe blogs, farming classes, and more resources plus farm stand markets for in-person shopping. Sand n’ Straw in Vista even invites people to meet their animals. There are also innovative models like Foodshed, a cooperative that sells produce from about 25 farms throughout the county and teaches people how to become farmers themselves.

The most unique characteristic of a CSA subscription is that you never know what surprise might be waiting for you. Under the bouquets of carrots and lettuces, there could be flowers, fresh herbs, or some vegetable you’ve never encountered. Embrace it! The unknown can lead to new culinary experiments and sometimes new friends if you’re willing to talk about recipes with the farmers and other CSA subscribers at box pickup spots or on social media.

This season, deep red apples loaded with antioxidants might get you in the mood to enhance a bowl of overnight oats. Shiny orange persimmons may make you crave a creamy, healthy smoothie or a homemade batch of grandma’s cookies. Fragrant herbs could elicit dreams of finally taking the time to make your first quiche. The possibilities are endless.

Edible San Diego has compiled this list to help you on a journey to nourish yourself even more deeply. CSA box contents are subject to change. Contact each CSA for prices, box sizes, and other details. Bon appétit!

Be Wise Ranch

20505 San Pasqual Rd, Escondido

760-746-6006

Pickup locations throughout the county

Fall boxes: spring mix, winter greens, zucchini, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, herbs, apricots, apples, pears

» bewiseranch.com

Foodshed Cooperative

3340 Fairmount Ave., City Heights

619-821-8222

Weekly or alternating week subscriptions available for pickups and home delivery with food from 25 regenerative farmers, accepts EBT

Fall boxes: squash, onions, collards, pomegranates, persimmons, and apples

Additional offerings: farming resource hub, training, tools, and soil testing

» foodshedcooperative.com

J.R. Organics

31030 Rodriguez Rd., Escondido

760-453-4144

Weekly or alternate weeks, home delivery or pick-up locations, customizations available

Fall produce varieties include lettuce, carrots, cabbage, green onions, citrus, apples, and persimmons

» jrorganicsfarm.com

Rodney Kawano Farms

Oceanside 

661-584-6848

Contact for box info or follow on Facebook for updates

» rodneykawanofarms.org

Sand n’ Straw

629 Mar Vista Dr., Vista

760-575-4758

Fall boxes to include carrots, beets, kale, Swiss chard, spring mix, zucchini, squash, limes, apples, pomegranates, herbs

Add-ons available: eggs, sourdough bread, honey, jams

» sandnstraw.com

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About the Contributor
Julie Pendray
Julie Pendray has experience working in the natural resources and environmental field, and also moonlighting in the food industry and traveling for stories. She is a certified master composter, an avid gardener, and loves to learn about nutrition. She has covered California as a journalist for over four decades.
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