Tanaka Farms
Posted on 04.25.10
Tanaka Farms of Irvine offers one of the three CSA programs available in Orange County. Tanaka Farms delivers their CSA boxes weekly, with a suggested 8 week commitment. The offer one mixed fruit and veggie produce box for $30 a week, which is expected to feed a family of three or four.
What’s unique about Tanaka Farms? They are the largest farm with a CSA program in Orange County, meaning that there is almost certainly a drop-off point near your home and work. At $30 a box, it is also the least expensive way to try CSA and they offer the most flexible terms with no 12 week pre-payment. The downsides? While Tanaka claims to follow organic growing practices, they are not certified organic so you are not 100% certain how your produce is grown. Also, as a larger commercial farm, they do not offer the same boutique variety as some other CSA programs. Their program appears to be particularly lean on the variety of fruits offered.
For more information or to join Tanaka Farms CSA, please visit www.tanakafarms.com.
South Coast Farms
Posted on 04.25.10
South Coast Farms, in San Juan Capistrano, offers one of the three CSA programs that is currently available to Orange County residents. South Coast Farms’ CSA requires a quarterly commitment, with weekly and bi-weekly options delivered to various locations around Orange County. Their mixed fruit and veggie produce baskets currently cost $34 per small basket or $41 per large basket. You get a $2 discount on your basket if you pick it up at their farm stand in San Juan Capistrano instead of one of their delivery points.
What’s unique about South Coast? They are the only all certified organic farm in South Orange County and they seem to grow a decent variety of fruits and veggies. The downside? If you don’t live or work near one of their weekly drop-off points it may be difficult to participate.
For more information or to join South Coast Farms CSA, please visit www.southcoastfarms.com.
Morning Song Farm
Posted on 04.25.10
Morning Song Farm, located in Rainbow, runs one of the three CSA programs that is currently available to Orange County residents. Morning Song CSA currently requires a 13 week (quarterly) commitment to join their program, and they deliver their certified organic produce baskets weekly to various locations around Orange County. Their mixed fruit and veggie baskets currently cost $34.50 weekly for a small basket or $44.50 weekly for a large basket.
What’s unique? Because Morning Song Farm is in Rainbow, outside of Orange County, they are able to grow a greater variety of crops than most Orange County farms. Macadamia nuts, mulberries, rhubarb and figs are a few of the crops they grow that I haven’t seen elsewhere. Their payment and vacation policies also seem to be unusually well constructed. The downside? No home delivery, so if you don’t live or work near one of their weekly drop-off points it may be difficult to participate.
For more information or to join Morning Song Farm’s CSA, please visit www.morningsongfarm.com.
Tanaka Farms of Irvine offers one of the three CSA programs available in Orange County. Tanaka Farms delivers their CSA boxes weekly, with a suggested 8 week commitment. The offer one mixed fruit and veggie produce box for $30 a week, which is expected to feed a family of three or four.
