*Updated March 11th, 2024

The Okanagan Valley is known for its abundant agriculture. And, the best way to get your hands on some fresh produce this summer? Sign up for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscription from a local farm. 

CSA is a system in which individuals or families become members of a farm and receive a share of the farm's produce. It usually comes in the form of a weekly box of fresh produce throughout the growing season.

Why Sign Up For A Local CSA?

Along with the obvious benefit of getting to enjoy the freshest possible produce all summer, come a number of other benefits that need to be considered and shouted about in this region. 

1. Purchasing a share of the farm crops early in the season assists the farm in buying what is needed at a time of year when financial resources are limited. 

2. It supports smaller-scale, family-run farms, which are often struggling to compete with larger, industrial agriculture operations. This in turn helps also to promote food security in your community.

3. It helps reduce the environmental impact of food production. By purchasing food that's grown close to home, you will not only enjoy fresher produce but also help reduce the carbon footprint associated with packaging, transportation and distribution.

4. By choosing produce that's grown using sustainable and/or organic farming methods, you can feel good about eating food grown by farmers that prioritize environmental sustainability and social responsibility.

With subscriptions starting now, this is your chance to sign up for a CSA program from Puzzlegrass Farms, or Honest Food Farms.

Three CSA Subscriptions To Sign Up For This Summer

Puzzlegrass Farms 

Puzzlegrass Farms is a small farm located in Naramata founded by buds Erin and Madison. They grow over 100 varieties of vegetables using sustainable practices and have hundreds of apple trees and a small stone fruit tree orchard. Puzzlegrass has recently launched a new subscription called ‘37 Weeks of Veggies’ in which members can enjoy fresh produce from June through February.

As an add-on to their CSA, Puzzlegrass Farms also offers a flower subscription called Puzzlebuds. This program allows subscribers to receive beautiful bouquets weekly or bi-weekly throughout the season. 

Note: If you aren’t subscribed to their CSA (but you should be), you can still buy their goods at the Penticton Farmer’s Market.

Honest Food Farms 

Honest Food Farms is another small-scale farm growing a wide variety of fruits and vegetables on their property in Cawston. They offer a number of CSA subscriptions, ranging from weekly Family Sized boxes during peak growing season, to a bi-weekly share of late season produce. Honest Food Farms also offers fruit and flower shares to add on or purchase separately. 

Note: Honest Food Farms also operates The Farm Store which sells fresh coffee, daily pastries, and seasonal, gluten-free, and veggie-forward food in addition to their produce in the Similkameen Valley.

Plot Twist Farms

Plot Twist Farms is a small non-certified organic farm about 5 minutes outside of Penticton on Okanagan Lake. They use permaculture and biodynamic farming practices with an emphasis on biodiversity, and natural and holistic systems. 

Started in 2017 by Karla Cox, Plot Twist Farms grows as much variety as possible. Unfortunately, as of March 1st, 2024, the CSA has been discontinued but, you can still purchase Plot Twist veg this summer from their self-serve farm gate which will be open 24/7 until the season ends. Look for the ‘Farm Fresh Veg’ sign on Naramata Rd. and the farm gate is located at the bottom of the hill directly below La Petite Abeille Cider.

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Signing up for a CSA subscription from a local farm in the South Okanagan is the perfect way to enjoy fresh produce this summer while supporting the community. Don't miss out!