So after I wrote this review, we received an email from the CSA. WOW. Instead of giving customer services, we got a lecture on how our country throws out a lot food because of a few spots. What you need to know is that we did receive food that had a few spots but what we threw out was the rotted food that came in the box. All in all the tone of the email makes me wish I could take away the one star. Had they approached it differently, I may have changed my mind about the whole experience. Instead they took a road that they shouldn't have. We decided to join a CSA (Community Support Agriculture) this year. I had heard great things about them from friends and was excited to support a local organic farm. We split it with our friend since from what people have said their boxes were very large and could feed more than a family of 4. We found one that delivered to Ecopolitan which is conveniently behind our home. Great. Well not so great. Each week we got our box and each week we threw out more and more vegetables before even getting to the bottom of the box. Several times we received half rotten cabbage and tomatoes that were so over ripe they went bad as soon as you cut into them. Let's just say there is a better selection dumpster diving at the Wedge (no I don't dumpster dive). I did complain and received a response as though it were my fault they were giving us bad produce (take ownership man) We also had an incident when picking up the box late. The box was gone. Not sent back to the Farm but gone. Apparently we had to "reserve" the box. Doesn't that happen when you become a member and pay up front? All in all it was a bad experience and has put me off using another CSA. read more

I'm a new CSA member, and have just finished devouring my first box. I'm vegan, and the majority of my grocery budget goes to veggies, so this seemed like a good deal for me. I love that I'm trying veggies I would normally never select. It's been a wonderful experience. I notice that there are three other 5-star reviews, probably from other CSA members who landed here after Googling the farm and seeing the only review visible a 1-star from 5 years ago. Bummer... Everything in my box was fresh, and it was packed to the gills. The only sad part was an inch-worm on my lettuce that I didn't catch until it had been in the fridge a few days, so he died... would have liked to save the little guy! No pesticides: the proof is in the worm! :) (PS - my mom and her partner once rescued a snail from some lettuce - different supplier - and kept her for a couple years in a terrarium - yay for lettuce friends!) read more

Everyone talks about the variety with Blackberry, which is impressive, especially for MN. However, the quality of the produce is terrible, stemming from how poorly they handle it. It might start out good at the farm, but it's half destroyed by the time it's home. For example, tomatoes are one of my favorite things, and each time they've arrived wet (like coated in water), squished, and/or overripe. Last week we actually got sick from one of them because it had split and my husband didn't realize it was bad. Beans and edamame arrive spread all over the box instead of in a plastic bag (which they don't believe in, even though the environmental impact of the plastic itself pales in comparison to the food rotting or getting damaged to the point where it's inedible), while lettuce, apples (for chrissake), and squash arrive bruised. We actually threw out half of the first apples of the year. I sent them an email last week, with photos, and they were not only unapologetic, but their response can be summarized as: We don't want to use plastic bags (apparently paper bags don't exist) We pack the boxes really full. They move in shipping and stuff shuffles. Physics are complicated. We'll give you less stuff. This is my 5th CSA overall - one in NH, two in CA, and two so far here in MN. I have complained about quality before and ALWAYS gotten a free box when I pointed out the issue. This time all I got is attitude. I'll be going back to Featherstone next year, because although the produce is not as diverse, it's reliable. read more

Our family has had a few exposures to Blackberry Community Farm. We were curious about CSA's and called to ask questions. We were invited out to the farm for a tour and invited to stay for an amazing supper. I'm not sure if this is normal treatment but we were delighted and learned quite a lot. The family who operates this farm is delightful and full of knowledge. Those who work in the learning programs at the farm are super hard workers and are also full of much knowledge. Since our visit we have purchased product from the farm. It has always been in excellent condition. I would highly recommend this CSA. Knowing that food is much more than what comes in the box is important to us. Knowing that the farmers are great people and their methods are safe trumps anything else in my mind. Natural food does not appear perfect as the chemically influenced counterparts in the stores. Blackberry Community Farm excels in all areas under my rubric. read more

If you are considering a CSA, ask questions up front to make sure you are getting the service you want. Learn the policies including delivery times, what to expect in a box, length of the service, etc. First of all you need to be prepared when your box arrives. You have to pick it up at the designated weekly time or ask someone else to get it, otherwise, the agreement is that they will give your box away. When you get your box you need to be able to get it in the fridge or cut it up. Because it is grown naturally the produce will not look like a box of veggies from Cub or Rainbow with wax and sprays to preserve the look & freshness. If it sits in the box on the floor in the middle of summer it will wilt or start to rot. You can always split a share if it is too much. There were a few vegetables that my family doesn't eat, but that is part of the deal. So we just shared those with friends and neighbors. And if you are wondering what to do with the vegetables you have never seen BBF sends out a weekly newsletter saying what is in the box and they even provide recipes to go with that box. Some of the items included greens of all kinds, spinach, chard, lettuce, bok choy, garlic, green onions, onions, red and white potatoes, kohlrabi, tomatoes, zucchini, tomatillos, peppers, cabbage, watermelon, apples, napa cabbage, herbs including basil and cilantro, raspberries, eggplant, parsnips, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, the list goes on including vegetables I have never tried before. There was so much variety. The apples did have a little bit of green brown stuff on it. So I asked what it was. They told me it was called sooty blotch, but is harmless to eat and is common to honey crisp when it rains a lot. They were the most delicious apples I think I have ever had. Is it a good deal? I think so. This is all organic produce, even though it isn't certified it is all raised with as much care as the certified. I can say this with confidence as we (as well as all other CSA members) were invited to experience life on an organic farm by attending the summer festival held at their home on the farm. We were able to tour the farm and see how the vegetables were grown, the philosophies they use - including crop rotation, etc. We were educated about our food and even what weeds we can actually eat, including day lilies, which by the way are sweet and a beautiful accent to any salad. This way you can pay less for organic vegetables at the same quality as certified. 5/9 bushel of fresh produce directly from the farm for 18 weeks actually saves you time and money of buying it at the store and the item spent going there. And you can have a lot of fun. Way to go Blackberry! Thanks for a great season. read more