Pregitzer Farm participates in the Westside Farmer's Market in front of Zingerman's Roadhouse. Our relationship with them started by purchasing their veggies at the Farmer's Market every Thursday; eventually, I would make a beeline for their stand each visit. Wade was always really helpful and personable.
One Thursday, we started talking about their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program, and he showed me their full and half share boxes. I was immediately jealous of all those families receiving their plentiful boxes each week, and I basically begged myself into the program for a half share box starting in the middle of the summer. I was completely late, and they were full, but somehow, Wade's wife Shannon felt convinced by my plea that I needed their half share box, and they let us in.
And I am so glad they did! From August through September it felt like Christmas every week. On Thursdays I would pick up my box, and it was packed full of all of the veggies I love to eat. (My husband said I was like a small child at Christmas on Thursdays when I would bring the box home and take everything out immediately and revel in what I would be cooking for the next few days).
The difference between this farm and many other farms is that they focus on the staples: zucchini, squash, tomatoes (many varieties), cucumbers, melon, corn, cabbage, broccoli, beets, peppers, eggplant... towards the end of the season we also got brussel sprouts, garlic, potatoes, and some herbs. This was the perfect box for us because I did not want a lot of salad greens -- I am not a huge salad eater. And I've always been a bit wary of CSA boxes for fear of getting a giant box of arugula and romaine that will go bad in my fridge. But after a season with Pregitzer, I am completely hooked on the CSA program and on their box!
The half share box is really affordable, in my opinion -- $220 for the season, which works out to roughly $13 a week. For fresh, local produce -- you can't beat that. And they extended out their CSA program from what it said on their website, and I thought that was a total bonus. Half share is the perfect amount for two people.
Pregitzer also hosted a number of activity days on their farm on the weekends. I never got a chance to go, but hopefully will next year. They are also open for business on their farm on the weekends and sell their produce then.
Additionally, they offer egg shares (a carton a week for the duration of the CSA) for $30 and they also offer whole chickens for sale in November and December to their CSA people.
If you are interested in doing a CSA box, fall and early winter is the time to do the research, pick your farm and get on their wait list. Be sure to look on their websites and see what they grow, ask what kind of veggies you will get throughout the year, and be sure it meshes with the kind of food you like to eat. Ask one of their CSA'ers about their program too, if possible. read more