Farm Fresh Produce - Naturally Grown - Stewardship of the Land - "No-Nonsense food at a Great Price!"
Updated January 29, 2010
Quick Links > > Newsletter and Article Archives Current Newsletter Return to 1887 Brand < < Quick Links
Less expensive than Walmart???
Click here for an eye opening cost comparison!
Experience the difference with Annie's Acres
Buying food at the supermarkets most often means being left in the dark about its origin or quality. As the supermarkets become larger, their suppliers increasingly become "mega farms" or large conglomerate agri-businesses. Large operations of this nature are not able to produce foods without "pushing" agriculture to its limits by chemical and artificial means. The end result is most often food of compromised quality and safety. There is also an unbelievable amount of waste through spoilage in transit and storage. Most supermarkets experience waste of up to 40% of the produce they get off the trucks.
There is a better way!
Community Supported Agriculture is an approach to farming that creates a unique teamwork between the consumer and the farmer. It is a relationship of mutual trust and support. The consumer agrees to help support the farm economically with the payment of an annual fee. The farmer agrees to provide the best possible quality products and deliver them conveniently to the customer.
By participating in a CSA, you can be confident about the quality and integrity of the food on your table. You will be working with us to support the local economy and a way of life that fosters stewardship of the land and respects God's creation. With a CSA. . . . . . everyone wins!
How does Annie's Acres CSA Work?
Our CSA is based on "shares". One share is the amount of product that a family of four would normally consume in one week. (about one grocery bag) If a family chooses the "one share" plan, they would receive that amount of produce every week starting the last week of May and continuing through the last week of October (24 weeks). You can chose one share or a half share. A half share is a delivery every other week. CSA members fill out an application each spring that shows important information such as food alergies. This application is then used as a guide when their share boxes are filled. Items (in season) above and beyond the normal share can be ordered at any time for delivery with your share. In addition to produce, members could receive items such as; honey, eggs, flowers, granola, homemade hand soap, beeswax candles, and a variety of other items as they are available. (New this year, honey will be a regular item included with each share this year)
We want to make being a member of Annie's Acres easy! So we deliver your share coolers to your door. Your share can be dropped off even when you aren't home with a prearranged drop point at your house. Shares are delivered cold and fresh in coolers that protect your produce even if you aren't right there for the delivery.
We also provide a newsletter with helpful information including food preparation ideas. It will also serve as a sounding board for CSA and Sustainable Farming related topics.
So what is a "Share Cooler"
The "Share Cooler" contains approximately 1/2 bushel. There will be a plastic pouch in the cooler that will contain your newsletter, a post card you can use to contact us, and any other information for that week. Two numbered coolers are assigned to each customer so that they can be rotated and kept clean. We ask each member to clean their own cooler and have it ready to pack the next delivery of veggies in. The cooler system works great compared to the boxes that most CSA's use. It saves waste and the freeze pack in the coolers helps keep the contents cool and fresh even in the warmest weather. We believe our system yields the freshest possible produce and is very efficient.
Our Farming Practices!
Many terms are used to describe how food is produced. We have found that most certifications such as "Organic" or "Naturally Grown" add significant cost to the product while still allowing many chemicals to be used. It is our belief that most folks just want to enjoy great, no nonsense, pure food that they can trust to be healthy and tasty! It's our goal to provide great food that people can actually afford. Some of our specific farming practices are:
When we sell you a "share" in what we are doing, we become accountable to you and want to be totally open about how we do business. Please let us know how we are doing and if our practices are on target.
What kind of produce can I expect to find in my "Share Cooler"?
Peas, Beans, Rutabagas, Beets, Okra, Brussels sprouts, Lettuce, Spinach, Radishes, Carrots, Tomatoes, Egg plant, Onions, Peppers, Cauliflower, Herbs, Fresh Spices, Summer and Winter squash, Dill, Chives, Parsley, Pumpkins, Watermelon, Rhubarb, Potatoes, Sweet Corn, Kohlrabi, Cucumbers, Horseradish, Red and Green Cabbage, Broccoli, Asparagus, Honey and other items as available. Other items are available for purchase through Annie's General Store
What is Annie's General Store and how can I purchase items from it?
Annie's General Store has been created to make additional food items available at a reasonable price. The General Store will also have some other items meant to enhance you Annie's Acres membership. For instance, you can now buy organic whole wheet berries from the store, AND you can buy a simple hand opperated mill that will allow you to grind your own flour! Other food items available from Annie's General Store include: Honey, Honey straws, Granola, and Eggs. Non food items include: flowers, gourds, Indian corn, beeswax candles and homemade hand soaps. Click here to visit Annie's General Store now.
Return to 1887 Brand Home Page
What is the cost to become a member?
We have tried to keep membership as simple but yet as flexible as possible. We also committed to bringing you the best value for this type of product. Our prices have remained the same now for four years!! The following options are available for the 2010 year:
Click here for an eye opening price comparison!
How do I become a member?
It's easy, just fill out a membership application form (click on link below to download pdf version of form) and mail it with a check(s) to us at the address below. Please also indicate on the back side of the form if you have any food or flower alergies that we should be aware of. All information we collect from you is kept absolutely private and is used only for the purposes of this CSA. Return the form to:
Annie's Acres
13040 Fort Defiance Rd.
Darlington, WI 53530
To download a pdf copy of an application form to become a member of Annie's Acres, click on the link below. You will need to have a copy of Acrobat Reader installed on you computer. You may also call or write for an application packet and we will mail it to you.
This page will more or less stay the same unless something major changes. The newsletter however will be the place to see the current happenings and get new briefs from the farm. You can click on the "Current Newsletter" link at the top of the page to see the latest newsletter. Archives are also available.