CSA FAQs

What is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)?

Community Supported Agriculture these days can mean a variety of things, but mainly it is a partnership between a farm and a community of people who desire a connection to high quality and consciously grown, e.g., organic or biodynamic, local foods. CSA is a system where the members and the farm share the "risk", as well as the harvest, of what the farmers are successfully able to grow, considering seasonal and unpredictable shifts in Nature. Essentially our members are pledging their financial support to Abbondanza and its seasonal infrastructure in exchange for some of the best produce around. CSA also offers members more of an intimate relationship with the farm, its crew and their practices of growing, handling and distributing food.

How many CSA sizes are there to choose from?

First of all we call each CSA membership a "share" (as in "Veggie Share" or "Keeper Share") as we believe that is exactly what we are doing—sharing in the bounty! Secondly, Veggie Share refers to our main season, May-October, which intends to deliver 21 weeks of produce over a 22 week period. Keeper Share occurs in the Fall, Oct-Dec with 5 deliveries over a ten-week period.

In 2009 we are offering 3 Veggie Share sizes:
Whole Share: $650
feeds a family of four or 3-5 people

Partial Share: $500
feeds 2-3 people

Indie Share: $350
Intends to satisfy one person

What are your pick-up location options?

Pick-up locations and times are:
Violet | Thursdays | 4-7p | Boulder Meadows Community Center; 4500 19th St.
Oxford | Thursdays | 4-7p | Home Farm: 10145 Oxford Road
Farm Stand | Thursdays | 4-7p | Thomas Open Space, Lafayette
S. Boulder | Thursdays | 4-7p | TBD
Farm Stand | Saturdays | 10-3p | Thomas Open Space, Lafayette

What is in the box each week?

Keep in mind that being a part of our CSA family entails the adventure of eating new or unfamiliar vegetables and eating them seasonally. What is in the box continues to increase as the season progresses. Our members report that they are excited to see what is in the share each week - like a surprise package on your birthday! Below is a sample of past offerings of a Whole Share at different points in our season:

Week 4
1 bunch chard
1 bunch kale
1 lb. sugar peas
1/2 lb. snow peas
3 heads lettuce
1 head frisee
1 lb spinach
1 bunch garlic-scapes

Week 12
1.5 lb. carrots
1.5 lb. baby beets
1 lb snap beans
5 red onions
5 garlic bulbs
2 fennel bulbs
3 zucchini
14 cukes (6 types)

Week 17
1.5 lb. carrots
6 bell peppers (2 types)
1 head cabbage
1 big watermelon
1 lb. loose curly kale
1 bunch violet wave kale
1 bunch arugula
1 lb. tat soi (asian greens)
3 onions
1.5 lb. potatoes
5 cukes (2 types)

Crop calendar located on website!

What are Add-Ons?

Add-Ons are products from other local sources that make the CSA a full menu offering. We offer the following add-ons: Fruit Share, Coffee Share and an intended Bison Share. All of add-on sources have similar values to ours in that they are strive to provide products that are healthy and wholesome and they are sourced straight from the farmer. Fruit Share is an 11 week share and can only be purchased in full; the Coffee Share is a weekly addition to the Veggie Share, sold in 1 pound increments, that is purchased in seven week blocks, this is the same for bison and bread. Add on sign up sheets will not be available until May.

What if I can't make one of my pick-ups?

The best thing to do if you know that you can not make a pick up is to send a friend or family member in your place. If you miss a Thursday pick-up, you will be able to pick up your share at the Farm Stand on the following Saturday. There is a $5.00 charge, with a one-time grace pass, for this convenience. We hope you can make your scheduled pick-ups and will donate your share to those in need if you happen to miss a week.

What is a Gift Share?

We do our best to offer payment plans and other creative means to embrace as many families as possible and are yet aware that Boulder County's food insecure-community it over 20%. A Gift Share is an opportunity for you to assist us in increasing food security in our community by contributing to, or purchasing in full, any of our share sizes for donation. If you are able to participate in one of our pay-it-forward opportunities, a Gift Share is an awesome way to do so. Gift shares can be purchased specifiically for someone that you have in mind and/or anonymously and we will take care of designating a family to receive. Additionally, Gift Share is a great idea for birthday or wedding presents or for a college student, etc. Thank you everyone for your awareness and participation in our Gift Share program.

Will you split my share for me if I am sharing with others?

Although we encourage groups to join together in sharing an Abbo CSA share (and the ABBO-LOVE!) if that is what works for you; you will have to take it upon yourselves to divvy up the share between you and your co-sharers. In the past people have come to the pick-up locations with extra (re-useable) bags and knives even, in order to make the split happen.

Can I volunteer at Abbondanza?

We love, need and very much appreciate volunteers! Volunteering at Abbondanza offers an opportunity to work alongside our incredibly talented farmer, Rich Pecoraro, as well as a crew of hard working, good-time having dedicated men and women. We do require consistency and at least a three hour stay. Call 303-485-7818. Thank you!

How do I sign up for a Share?
Do you offer a payment plan?
Credit Cards?

You can download the sign-up form from our website. Complete the entire form and send it to 10145 Oxford Rd, Longmont, CO 80504 with a check or money order. We do not accept credit cards. If you are in need of a payment plan, please send in a deposit of $75 with a note on how you will pay in full. No worries!