Parents often wonder how to provide nutritious meals to their growing family. There are various ways to shop for fresh fruits, vegetables, and other wholesome products, like a CSA box. If you’re not familiar with this exciting opportunity or you simply need a refresher course, keep reading. We’ll explain the concept behind this outstanding program and then help you find a CSA box program near East Cobb, Georgia.

What Is a CSA Box?

Baskets of vegetables at a farmers market in East Cobb, Georgia

“Farmer’s Market” licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Flickr by Tracy Keller

Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is a program where hosts provide people with boxes of fresh fruits and veggies. The contents are always seasonal, and it comes directly from nearby growers. However, each program is different. 

Some plans offer delivery right to your home, while others require you to pick up your items at the farm. Often harvesters will have your box ready and waiting, while other times, you’re allowed to wander the fields and pick your food. Most CSA box programs also accommodate a variety of needs. For example, a small order may feed two, while the large box is perfect for a family with a ravenous school kid.

Is a CSA Box Right for Your Family?

Now that you know what a CSA box is all about, here are a few good reasons why you should consider signing up for one:

  • Eat better: Chances are pretty high that you and the kiddos will eat more fruits and vegetables if you’re paying for them, and you might as well since they’re just laying around.
  • Support family farms: It’s no secret that many of our small farmers are struggling to keep up with commercial agriculture producers. Shopping close to home helps strengthen your community.
  • Simplify your life: Wouldn’t it be nice to take the shopping out of grocery shopping? With a CSA, half of this chore could arrive magically on your doorstep every week.
  • Know where your food has been: If you’ve ever wondered where that wilted carrot on your grocer’s shelf came from, you’re not alone. You’ll know where each piece of food in your box was grown and even by whom.
  • Get out of the box — and into the kitchen: The contents of your CSA box may be a complete surprise each week. However, some programs do publish what’s in season. This is your chance to get the kids in the kitchen and try some new foods.
  • Save money: Most CSA programs work on a subscription basis, so the amount you spend stays constant, and you generally receive a large stock of produce and other tasty foods.

Find a CSA in Your Neighborhood

If you’re interested in subscribing to a CSA box program, take a look at these providers near East Cobb:

Anne Marie’s Garden

Anne Marie’s Garden is located on Macland Road Southwest, about half a mile from Powder Springs. This neighborhood family farm touts some of the best eggs in the area. All of its hens enjoy free-ranging and eating nutritious, non-GMO food. As a result, its eggs are always large, and they have the yummiest flavor.

The farmers at Anne Marie’s are friendly people, and they’re committed to providing good quality food and good customer service. The Department of Agriculture licensed these growers to sell a variety of produces, including:

  • Apples.
  • Blueberries.
  • Cucumber.
  • Figs.
  • Green beans.
  • Lettuce.
  • Okra.
  • Peaches.
  • Potatoes.
  • Summer squash.
  • Sweet corn.
  • Tomatoes.

My Dad & Me Family Farm

Three generations of Hammonds run My Dad & Me on Velma Drive in Powder Springs. This 100% grass-fed dairy is a proud producer of raw jersey milk, eggs, and loads of garden goodies. A small herd of Jersey cows is the foundation for this farm, and the girls provide milk twice a day. Here you can get a CSA box and other farm-fresh eats like:

  • Milk in half-gallon glass jars.
  • Organic, non-GMO eggs.
  • Pasture-raised broiler meat chickens.
  • Fresh garden produce.
  • Herbs.
  • Grass-fed beef.
  • Pasture-raised pork.
  • Raw honey.
  • Raw milk cheese.
  • Homemade soap and skincare products.
  • Baked goods.

Spreading Oaks Farm

Spreading Oaks Farm is a small family-owned farm located on Tack Cole Road in Dallas. These producers embrace the ideal of what this lifestyle truly means, and they really know what they are doing. Ken and Patti take care of the land and their animals with a loving touch using only the most holistic, sustainable farming practices to conserving nature’s precious resources.

Don’t be fooled by the phrase “small.” Spreading Oaks offers a diverse selection of fresh vegetables and herbs, plus it’s constantly increasing its offerings of healthy foods for our East Cobb community. It provides pick-up at the farm every Thursday afternoon. Have fun and make this outing an outdoor adventure for the whole family.

When you sign up for Spreading Oaks Farm’s CSA program, plan to pick up your food at the farm on Thursday afternoon. You can place your order the same day and even grab coffee and butter. You might get items they routinely grow, such as:

  • Tomatoes.
  • Cantaloupes.
  • Watermelons.
  • Peppers.

Rise N Shine Farm, Inc

Rise ‘N Shine is a certified organic farm in the Oostanaula River Valley near Calhoun. The growers here have provided locals with a CSA box delivery every week since 2004. Its truck full of delicious vegetables, fruits, and eggs comes directly from its farm in Northwest Georgia. 

This organization has grown into one of the largest CSAs in the state, thanks to its mission to produce the highest quality foods. It accomplishes this goal by taking great care of things like soil quality and crop diversity. Rise ‘N Shine grows over 40 different types of certified organic vegetables on more than 30 fertile acres. Additionally, its “hoop house” structures ensure these growers can produce food all year round.That wraps up Crème de la Crème of East Cobb’s guide to finding a CSA box in your area. Do you have a favorite local farm program Georgia families will want to support? Drop us a line so we can add it!