2013 list of Washington area CSAs

There’s nothing like the promise of spring to get one through the cold months of winter. You can act on that promise by signing up for a community-supported agriculture program, or CSA.

In a CSA, members stake a claim on part of a farm’s harvest by paying a set fee in advance. The farmers get help covering their costs, and customers in turn receive a weekly or, in some cases, biweekly grab bag of produce. A good number of CSAs are branching out and including eggs, bread, meat and other items in their shares. Some offer separate shares for those specialty goods.

Graphic

Browse by location nearly 70 community-supported agriculture, or CSA, programs.

More from Food

25 recipes under 500 calories

These healthful recipes by Nourish columnist Stephanie Witt Sedgwick are low in calories, fat and sodium.

• 5 so-called health foods you should avoid

Gluten-free recipes

PHOTOS | Gluten-free main course meals to try any night of the week.

Share sizes vary. Conventional wisdom is that a full share provides enough produce to feed a family of four for one week. Half shares and mini shares are available. The language of sizing can differ among farms, so ask before you make your decision.

Another thing to consider: How pickup works. Most CSAs have their members collect shares at fixed points, such as farmers markets, schools or stores. Others offer delivery, included in the price of the share or as an added fee. As you compare your options, take into account the cost of gas or your time.

These farms still had shares for sale as of the end of January. Many sell out, so sign up early.

The farms are listed according to the state in which they are located. To search for CSAs by pickup location, check out our interactive map.

— Becky Krystal

MARYLAND

5 a Day CSA

Silver Spring

Vicki Reese, 301-595-0379

info@5adaycsa.com

www.5adaycsa.com

Spring/summer share $750, 15 weeks; spring/summer/fall share $1,400, 32 weeks; flexible option, pay $50 membership fee, then choose a weekly box, price varies. Compilation of items from several farms.

Delivery to Silver Spring and Hyattsville; office delivery sites available per request. Compilation of Pennsylvania farms.

Backbone Food Farm

Oakland

Katharine Dubansky, 301-334-5633

katharine@backbonefarm.com

www.backbonefarm.com

$350 full share, $560 family share, 20 weeks.

Pickup in Frostburg, Md., and Thomas, W.Va., and at the farm.

Big White Barn CSA

Frederick

Steve or Anita Goertemiller, 301-874-3173

farmer@bigwhitebarn.com

www.bigwhitebarn.com

$550 weekly full share, $325 weekly half share, $275 biweekly full share, 20 weeks.

Pickup in the District, Baltimore, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Gaithersburg and Crystal City and at the farm. Home and business delivery available.

Blades Orchard

Federalsburg

Lynda Blades, 410-754-8857

bladesorchard@bladesorchard.com

www.bladesorchard.com

$400 full share, $200 half share, 14 weeks; $350 full share, $175 half share, 12 weeks (fall); fruit shares ($250, 10 weeks) available.

Pickup in Annapolis, Denton, Easton, Cambridge, Federalsburg, Salisbury and St. Michaels and at the farm.

Blue Tomato Farms

Harwood

Shawn Sizer, 410-507-5917

bluetomatofarms@hotmail.com

www.bluetomatofarms.com

$1,725 family share, 32 weeks, or $1,200, 20 weeks; $1,200 couples share, 32 weeks, or $800, 20 weeks; $750 single share, 32 weeks, or $495, 20 weeks; eggs shares available.

Delivery included in price of shares.

Brad’s Produce