What is a CSA?  CSA Stands for Community Supported Agriculture.  Members of our local community can purchase a "share" of our farm each season.  Shareholders provide monetary support early in the season when we need it most, as well as encouragement and support for what we're doing.  In return, once our harvest season begins (the first week of June), our farm shares its healthy, organic produce as it ripens.  When you become a member of our CSA program, it provides you with direct access to our freshly harvested, certified organic fruit and vegetables, as well as farm visits, weekly email updates and recipes tailored to what items you'll be receiving.  Thank you to all of our members and to those who are considering joining!

The CSA Scoop:

All offerings are certified organic!  Our CSA includes fruit, vegetables and herbs.  We strive to grow all items included, however, if we have a crop failure or the opportunity to include an item grown by another local organic farm, we will be transparent in that item's inclusion (blueberries are an example).  Our family welcomes you to visit the farm and develop a connection to the land where your food is grown, and the people who grow it (please allow a weeks notice to schedule in case we plan to be out in a field or orchard).  Throughout the season you will have a direct line to us through email, cell phone and farm visits.  Every share is accompanied by an email detailing what is happening on the farm that week with pictures, that week's items and recipes. In addition to the newsletter recipes, first year members will also receive a spiral bound cookbook of Simply in Season. We also have Adriana Haslam returning for a second season to provide you with real life pictures of our items being used in the recipes provided (pictures can be seen on our Facebook page).

Our CSA Season is 20 weeks, the week of June 5th through the week of October 16th. 

VALUE ADDED FOR ALL MEMBERS

We are thrilled to announce that for the 2016 season, Molter Family Orchards has contracted with Adriana Haslam (columnist for Edible Michiana and cooking instructor at Martin's) to provide specially tailored recipes each week based on items you will receive which will add considerable value to your farm share (similar to how the Local Thyme recipes worked last year except you won't have to click on a link to view the recipes). She will then be making the recipes throughout the week and sharing the pictures on our Facebook page. I hope everyone else is as excited as I am about having Adriana on board providing us with her great services this season :) Adriana was the person behind all the fabulous dishes viewed on our Facebook page last season! If you did not follow our Facebook page last season, please check it out now and see what you have to look forward to (and more)!
 

Bulk buys

Once a member, you will have the opportunity for bulk buys throughout the season. Depending on annual crop, options may include but are not limited to: strawberries, peaches, pickling cucumbers, tomatoes, pears and apples.

Delivery

Shares will be delivered in reusable farm grade containers (to be returned and re-used throughout the CSA season).

Each week the shares will typically contain 8-10 different items and usually a fruit item or two. Here's an example of a possible weekly offering: Watermelon, green peppers, heirloom cherry tomatoes, broccoli, salad greens, kale, dill, eggplant, and zucchini. If you miss your pick up, we cannot be responsible for saving your produce for you but every attempt will be made. If you cannot make your pick up and are unable to have someone pick up your share for you, with advance notice we can try to arrange an alternate pick up or you can request that we donate your produce to a local family in need.

Pick up locations/days

• Benton Harbor (Renaissance Athletic Club) - Wednesday evenings5pm-7pm

• Kalamazoo (host location near Westnedge & Montrose) - Wednesday evenings 5pm-8pm

• Berrien Springs - Tuesdays

• *THE FARM - Choose your own weekday pick up, day or evening! 

Farm days

On the Farm Day: June 11th
CSA u-pick/ice cream social: September

Referral Incentive

$25 off the cost of your share for every new member you refer for the 2016 season. * There is no limit to the number of referral discounts a member can receive. Referral credit can also be used towards bulk buys.

Produce

Examples of items you'll find in your weekly share may include but are not limited to:

We always welcome and encourage suggestions or "special requests" from members on new produce items to plant!  Let us know what you would like to see in your box!

SIGNING UP

Please complete the CSA Agreement (link below and in the website footer) and mail/email back to us.  Payment is due by your first pick up but early payment is always appreciated as our overhead is highest at the beginning of the season.  An integral part of the CSA model is that farmers are supported by their members at the beginning of their season when their costs are highest.  We offer a number of convenient payment options.  Partial payments are accepted with the caveat that payment must be received in full by the first pick up date.

* Please contact Kari directly if you would like to gift or donate a share.

2016 CSA Agreement

Payment: You are able to pay through our website using credit card. You may also pay with a personal check, cashier's check, or directly through PayPal (molterfarms@gmail.com).

Checks can be made out to Kari Molter and mailed to: 6740 N. Branch Rd., Benton Harbor, MI 49022

For more information please contact Kari by phone at 269-240-8292 or via email at molter.csa@gmail.com.