This will be my second year with Love Farm Organics doing the CSA. I really have nothing but…read morepositive to say about it. I do a partial share, which is more than enough for my husband and I. It has saved us a tremendous amount on our grocery bill, to the point we don't go to the grocery store nearly as often as we used to. I was even able to freeze much of it, and able to use it over the course of the winter. We pick up our CSA near our home at a market style pickup - we get to pick our own produce out of the bins, make choices between certain vegetables, and even put unwanted produce in a trade bin for others or to trade. The quality is excellent, and so much better than anything you could get at a grocery store. I love that they send out a newsletter with the upcoming produce you will get - it gives you time to meal plan and buy ingredients for your upcoming share! If you're looking for a CSA in the Portland area, I can't recommend Love Farm Organics enough - I am actually finishing a winter CSA with another organic farm and it came nowhere near the quality of this, and I'm really looking forward to it starting up again soon!

I've been getting veggies and fruit from the Love Farm Organics CSA for about eight years and I…read morecan't recommend them enough. They're a 4th-generation family farm and they're really lovely people. Their produce is excellent quality, they have pick-up spots all over the area and their site has lots of resources for nutritional info and recipes on preparing the things they grow. They've introduced me to things I've never seen and really widened my palate. Their produce is organic so it isn't polluted with poisonous pesticides and doesn't poison the soil or kill pollinators like bees and butterfiles, it's healthy and delicious and actually comes out to cost less than produce at the store by my house AND I know I'm supporting a local family farm and helping keep it there. You just really can't beat an organic family farm CSA membership and everyone should try one! They also offer some work exchange and take SNAP to make their produce available to as many people as possible.

The owner Joyce was very generous and took my kids around a tour of the farm. Very reasonable…read moreprices and friendly people here growing organic produce.

From the owner: fresh organic fruits and vegies. We also have a csaread more

Excellent option for CSA. The produce is very good, nice variety and plenty for the share I got…read more(mini share). I also liked and appreciated the good and prompt communication. All in all I highly recommend them. Over the years, I had other arrangements: CSA, Full Circle... But Helsing is the best experience for me.

We've been really pleased with our CSA share from Helsing this year and will sign up with them…read moreagain next year if we're still living in Olympia. We tried a different CSA last year (there are four local organic CSA options that deliver to my husband's workplace) and we much prefer Helsing. We like Helsing better because they have given us more variety, because we adore the fruit share, and because they have taken the time to provide good recipes. We signed up for the mini share and are hard pressed to keep up with what we receive every week! There are the two of us and we're vegetarians, yet we get so much from them every week that we can't eat it all before the next batch arrives. We freeze, can, or give away extra, it's that generous. The CSA we had last year from the different farm kept giving us the same things week after week--carrots, chard, potatoes--and we're really pleased that Helsing has so much changing variety. Sometimes we have only received something for a week or two and wish we could be getting it for longer! We LOVE the fruit share. Local organic fruit costs us high prices at the Oly farmer's market, but with the fruit share we are getting a great deal. The first few weeks are a little slow when only berries are ready, but after that we get a ton of stone fruit that is delicious and much more bang for our buck than at the farmer's market. For example, one week I was at the market and bought a container of cherries for about $15. A few days later my fruit share gave me the same amount of cherries plus several other pounds of fruit, all for $15 a week. Nice. We get peaches, nectarines, apples, berries, plums, pluots, etc etc We have tried a number of their recipes, and have been impressed. Someone has put a lot of effort into finding recipes that only use the seasonal ingredients that are actually tasty. Everything has been good, and a few have been excellent, such as the recipe for fennel with honey, goat cheese, etc --it's amazing. You can search their recipe database by ingredients. I appreciate that they never leave me hanging for ideas, since with every CSA you get exposed to both old and new ingredients and the recipe help is appreciated.

We are extremely satisfied with our Happy Hen Farm CSA (community supported agriculture)…read moresubscription. My husband bought it as a Christmas gift after I wouldn't shut up about Kingsolver's book, "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle." Happy Hen delivers, which is SO cool for a working-mom-who-cooks-most-nights. Every week is like Christmas all over, and we are getting to try veggies we've never had - like garlic scapes (the top green part) and some tuber I can't remember the name of. Our subscription includes weekly free-range eggs, and other occasional treats like bread, honey, organic walnuts, and an end of season tea towel. The only question is, will he buy it for me again next year? P.S. You can also find Happy Hen at the Olympia Farmer's Market. P.P.S. Yelp won't let me put in their web address, but it's www. happyhenfarm.com.

From the owner: Handcrafted "One of a Kind" gourd art and handwoven towels and scarves.read more

I'm nearly done with my second year with this CSA and only have good things to say about 47th…read moreAvenue Farms. The price point is a little higher then some other CSAs but the bounty of high quality produce each week easily justifies the cost. This season I paid $540 for a half share; at 24 weeks (much longer then some CSAs!) it comes to $22.50/week. The return is around 10 different items per week. As an omnivore household of two, it is a lot of veggies to get through per week! This year the lettuces, cucumbers, and carrots have been remarkable. We've had some form of garlic and onion almost every week and have had beautiful dill, basil, and cilantro throughout the season. We are just now hunkering into juicy red tomatoes and sweet corn. 47th Avenue Farms has me covered on all my veg needs and makes it so my grocery store trips are quite minimal. The produce is fresh enough that nothing spoils within the week and , if I can't finish something one week, it is still good the next week too. At the weekly pick up, you bring in your own bags and pick out your share. Next to each item is a sign with the quantity you are supposed to take and you get to pick the stuff that looks good to you! Laura and her staff are around to chat with and they seem to do at least one farm party day each season. I appreciate the weekly recipe packet which is full of not only recipes, but also tidbits about how to prepare some of the less common veggies (I totally needed the help with the fava beans). The only thing this CSA is missing is the occasional fruit but with all of the farmers markets around Portland, I can still get what I need.

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOOVE LOVELOVE LOVEEE LOOOVE! LOVE LOVE LOVE LOOOOOOOVE!!!…read more Was I supposed to say something else? Well, OK... I have a half share...this season it costs $540, so it's a bit of a chunk to come up with. But wowie zowie!!!! it is worth every penny. And this season, Laura worked out a payment plan with me, so that the cost is spread out over time. Veggie pick up is every week in the Summer, and every other week in the Winter. Here is how they do it: A long table is set up under an awning. both sides of the table are decked with the same selection of boxes. Each of those boxes contains its own particular delicacy. We bring our own bags, and load 'em up. The quantity we are to take is posted on each box, and it works on the honor system. (I have only cheated once, and only by a little...OH! fingerling potatoes, you made a cheat out of me!!) Can you say FRESH? I first realized how UN-fresh grocery store vegetables are by the shelf-life of Laura's vegetables. Tonight I made some kale that I got from a pick-up 2 weeks ago. It is still crisp, dark green and very yummy. Another thing? She offers veggies I would never buy in the store. So along with your normal staples like broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, etc, you also get...Rutabaga? Celeriac? WTF is this shit? I'll tell ya what it is: IT'S FUN! I love trying new veggies I've never tried before, and lest you think those super-cute helpers behind the table are just there to reload the boxes, think again! They know a lot about the food being grown, including how to cook it. Did you know that parsnips are good thin-cut and fried? Neither did I. :) Oh, and I have a new love...something I've never seen in the store, they are long skinny, bright red and super sweet peppers. OH THE JOY!!! This place is a total win!

I joined their CSA for the first time this year and I love it so far. We did the half shares, so…read morebi-weekly, which is just right for our tiny family who travel often, and eat out too often. You go to the farm to pick up your CSA goods in a small room. There is always good music playing and it's nice and cool inside. All the veggies (and fruit sometimes) is laid out on tables and there are clear signs as to how much of each item you can take. For instance, you can take two leeks, 3 lbs of carrot, a bag of lettuce, etc. I really like the way they set this up, because if you're not a fan of something, you can skip it and not let it go to waste in your fridge or pantry. They send out emails to go with the week and give you storage information and cooking recipes for the food you are getting that week. It's a lovely touch and I appreciate the information, especially when it's with something I don't normally get on my own. It's a wonderful thing to support local farms and farmers, so I'm thrilled we found Working Hands Farm. I also suggest you follow their Instagram! They have beautiful examples of their weekly hauls and show you what life is like on the farm.

We did our first CSA pick up last week. Everything was well communicated and an easy pick up. At…read morefirst I was overwhelmed with the amount of green stuff but then used their descriptions and recipes to feed my family some wonderful delicious meals. Great fb page too.

Outstanding CSA and worth the drive from Portland. I like the choice of share veggies and the…read morelimitless salad greens. The system is easy to navigate, and I appreciate that I'm empowered to select the veggies that I like and eschew the ones--I'm looking at you, kohlrabi--I will never eat again. This farm also brings in other vendors for fresh eggs, breads and treats, and meats. Highly recommend!

With so many CSAs in Portland, why on earth would you venture out to Helvetia? Because it's truly…read morethe best, and worth the 20 minute drive from downtown Portland. After having been a member of several other CSAs in New York City and Australia, I can say with confidence that Stoneboat is truly as good as it gets. The owners, Jesse and Aaron Nichols are brothers who bring a tremendous amount of varied experience to their farm which emphasizes sustainable growing practices. (While not yet certified organic, they practice entirely organic methods of agriculture.) Stoneboat is the epitome of excellence in small farming - innovative practices to make the most of the season, as well as utilizing old world wisdom and husbandry, such as using draft horses for many tasks that would otherwise require use of their tractor. They are also vibrantly creative and passionate about what they do, which is infectious to their customers. Even their CSA highlights their creativity - each week, they put something fun and unexpected in, from dried smoked chilis to dehydrated hibiscus flowers. Their vegetables are always beautiful, clean and as fresh as they come. Each week, they send out a recipe to use their widely varied produce, and as Aaron is a chef, the recipes are pretty darn delish. They also raise heritage and standard turkeys, although I have yet to purchase one (but I am sure they will be wonderful.) If you're looking for a CSA, I couldn't recommend them more highly. If you're not, be sure to check them out at either of the Hillsboro Farmer's markets. Things I love: - Sustainable growing practices - Draft horses to do some of the work of tractors - Thorough attention to detail, from making sure the produce is clean to a thoughtful weekly update to the customers letting them know the goings on on the farm as well as a recipe to use the produce. - Creative and unusual vegetables balanced with the old favorites - The sweetest guardian dogs in town (although I'm sure they think they're very tough) - Partners with Adelante Mujeres, a Forest Grove nonprofit, to help educate immigrant farmers to grow organically and sell their produce locally - I'm sure I'm missing hundreds of other things to love, but these are the highlights that come most easily to mind. Things I don't love: - For once, I'm at a loss for words!

Ok this is a super late review. My sons class went there for a field trip almost 2 months ago. Ya i…read moreknow im a horrible person for taking so long to review. I will be honest i dont know much about this place. Its a working farm in the middle of portland. Thats pretty cool for the kids who grew up in the city to get to see what a working farm is. The kids learned alot and had a great time.

From the owner: Give your family a weekly box of healthy, organic vegetables grown locally in Portland at Zenger…read moreFarm! You can customize your CSA, pay with SNAP or request a need-based scholarship.

So I have farmgirl aspirations. I love barns. Chickens excite me. Compost? So amazing. Alpacas?…read moreNifty beasts. When I was single living in Eugene I had an enormous vegetable garden and lived out there spring till fall.It was my obsession, my haven. I blame my years living in the desert for this fascination with green, growing, blooming stuff. I lived for trips to nurseries, crop rotation, my fresh herbs, collecting salad fixings five minutes before a great meal. Social worker grind by day, earth mother the rest of the time. Bliss. I always had dirt under my nails, tomatoes to share, and I slept really really well. Things changed though when I moved to Portland and got a man, then a kid, then had aging parents to take care of in addition to my day job. I could barely get to the store much less a farm stand or the farmer's market. Enter the CSA. What a great idea. Support local farms, share the risk, reap some of the harvest. My first attempt didn't go so well ( long story about a crazy lady, slugs, and the Sheriff) and expensive. 10 weeks for $780. Ouchie. My kid got to meet the llamas and chickens though. That was sweet. This time we tried Sun Gold Farms. It is way more reasonable, 18 weeks for a full share, less than $500 and the produce is outstanding. I pick ours up every Wednesday evening in my neighborhood. I love the recipes and stories on their website, the people are great, they have honey shares too if you are interested, We have had some awesome dinners and my kid has tried new veggies. (Ex: fresh chickpeas on a chunk of the bush! ) They have an open house ( we unfortunately were out of town) every summer for their csa members which is cool, too. I think this farm really does everything well. Its not certified organic but its spray free and focuses on sustainable green practices. I can't think of anything more to tell you. I'm including a photo of this week's share. ( there are three of us at home plus my brother in law eats here a lot, so we have a fulll share) Oh, it runs summer into fall. You missed it this year. I'm going to go eat some homemade apple pear crisp now ( fruit from my csa basket). I'm a lucky farm girl. Ish.

My contact with Sun Gold Farms is through the Saturday Farmers Market at PSU. Sun Gold Farms has…read moredelicious produce at fair prices and offers Portlanders the market's best sweet corn as well as an amazing variety of winter squash. If you're like me and think butternut and acorn are the only squashes around, talk to Charlie and try the more tasty varieties -- carnival, red kabocha, sweet dumpling, blue hubbard, harlequin, delicata (one of my favorites), Thelma Sanders, red curry. The list goes on and on and on. Charlie's always happy to explain the differences between these types and he and his wife offer tips on how best to prepare the various kinds, either roasting them or turning them into soups. We like all of the produce they sell. Sun Gold is one of the best farm stands at the PSU Saturday market and an absolute must for sweet corn and squash.

Honestly the greatest organic farm in Oregon. The farmers care deeply about and are deeply…read morecommitted to community and equity through sustainable agriculture. They host CSA pick-up events for all their members so everyone has a chance to see and learn first hand their operations and production, as well as have the opportunity to grow as a community. Great guys, their cute babies, and a rat terrier. What's not to love?

We have the good fortune to live near Zephyr Farm, but we would drive there even if we lived miles…read moreaway, and many do just that. It's actually hard to leave the fun and laughter of weekly pickups--meeting new and old friends, families with kids of all ages, singles, and grandparents. Zephyr is not like any CSA we've done before. Instead of the usual line of people picking up a box of CSA preselected quantities and types and leaving, Zephyr is community based, provides weekly activities, and there are no pre-sets on quantities, veggies, or flowers. We are able to choose what we want in quantities we will use from a variety of freshly harvested vegetables--tomatoes, potatoes, and onions, but also new and even exotic choices. Each week brings surprises; making fresh doughnuts or cotton candy, picking bouquets; roasting peppers; making salsa; potlucks, making wreaths; swapping ideas and recipes, and learning and trying new varieties of peppers, melons, herbs, tomatoes, and leafy vegetables. Farmer Bryan's weekly newsletter has helpful recipes and suggestions for that week's products. Those on limited incomes should not forego fresh food because Zephyr works with their customers with payment plans that meet the needs of everyone; there are sliding scales, payment plans, and they accept SNAP. Zephyr Farm brings joy, and we all need that.