Ever wonder how far that bunch of kale traveled before landing in your smoothie? Studies estimate that produce travels as many as 1,500 miles from farm to table, which can negatively affect nutritional value and freshness, not to mention the environment. One way to reduce those food miles is through community-supported agriculture programs (CSAs), in which customers pay farmers a set fee for a subscription box of produce—or in some cases, meat and dairy products—for pick-up or home delivery. Buying shares in a CSA also supports small-scale family farms. Want to give CSAs a try? Here are seven that serve our area.
Area 2 Farms
Nestled between a doggy day care and an auto electronics outlet in a nondescript brick building near Four Mile Run, this indoor organic farm grows crops vertically and hydroponically on vertical plant beds, making the most of its small, efficient and bug-free facility. Since spring 2022, its farmers have been harvesting herbs, lettuce, root veggies and microgreens, delivering the fruits (okay, vegetables) of their labor to some 400 local households each week. Boxes of assorted veggies cost $40-$50 each, depending on frequency. Want a literal taste of what it’s all about? Take a free tour—with food samples—on the first and third Sunday of every month. // 2600 S. Oxford St., Arlington (Shirlington)
Cottonwood Ranch
Some CSAs offer more than vegetables. Cottonwood Ranch sells all-natural beef from humanely treated Angus cattle that roam pastures in Front Royal, munching pesticide-free grass and beer mash—a healthy, high-protein mix of grains (and byproduct of beer brewing) sourced from Alexandria breweries. The family-owned-and-operated ranch, which opened in 2008, offers a variety of cuts for pickup or delivery, including New York strip, T-bone, porterhouse, ribeye, hanger, flank and skirt steaks, plus ground beef, short ribs, chuck roast and more. Delivery is free with a $250 purchase.
Even’ Star Farm
This certified-organic farm in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, emphasizes crop diversity and flavorful produce. Get the Warm Season Summer CSA option ($468 for the season when paying by check or cash; $480 by credit card) and unbox your share of the farm’s cucumbers, 12 kinds of tomatoes, herbs, blackberries, sweet potatoes, peppers, cantaloupes, watermelon and okra each week for 12 weeks from early July through September. Add a dozen eggs per order for another $78. (Smaller boxes are available through the ¾ Warm Season Share for $351 or $360, depending on payment method.) From late October through mid-April, the farm offers an Onion Rising Winter CSA with boxes of greens and savory roots. Check the website for 2024-25 pricing.
Groundworks Farm
Get locally grown meat and produce all year long from this 15-year-old, family-owned-and-operated Maryland farm, which serves about 100 Arlington families through its CSA. During the summer and fall, your box could include strawberries, peaches, blueberries, sweet corn, plums, kale, carrots, garlic and more—enough for a household of three to five people, or one to two avid veggie eaters, according to the farm. From winter to spring, nosh on beets, winter squash, Janucrisp apples, Brussels sprouts, onions and parsnips. Groundworks also partners with other local farms to provide chicken, beef, pork, seafood and cheese. Pickups take place at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington in Virginia Square (3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington) on Tuesdays from 3-6 p.m.
Potomac Vegetable Farms
This farming operation grew organically as Hiu and Tony Newcomb progressed from recreational farming on rented ground in McLean to owning two sprawling locations, one just west of Tysons Corner and the other in Purcellville. PVF became certified organic in 1991 and today partners with Sassafras Creek Farm in Leonardtown, Maryland, and Fireside Farm and Second Spring Farm in Purcellville, to fill its CSA boxes. Register now for a 25-week program that runs from June 1-Nov. 17 (choosing between mini boxes of about six items or robust boxes of about 12) and look forward to goodies such as lettuce, Swiss chard, potatoes, dill, bok choi, kohlrabi, fennel, celery and eggplant. Customers can pick up their shares directly from the farms, at farmers markets in Falls Church and Arlington, or from private residences in Arlington and McLean. Check the website for pricing.
South Mountain Creamery
This 40-year-old family-owned-and-operated dairy farm bottles milk within 12 hours of milking its cows. It also converts its stock-in-trade into heavy whipping cream, half and half, salted and unsalted butter, and ice cream in flavors such as Cold Brew Chip, C is for Cookie and Indonesian Vanilla Bean. Find products at stores and markets throughout the region or have them delivered straight to your home. Northern Virginia customers can fill online carts with South Mountain Creamery products, as well as items such as yogurt, candy and baked goods from partner businesses. Sign up to get deliveries as often as once a week.
Wholesome NOVA
Cows, goats and lambs on this Centreville farm graze freely on organic natural hay and grasses, while the chickens, ducks and turkeys gobble soy-free grain. Purchase a CSA membership to enjoy weekly pickups of butter, ice cream, kefir, cheeses, beef, chicken, turkey, goat and A2 milk (which lacks a protein that makes it more digestible for people with lactose intolerance). Place orders online and pick up your goods in Arlington, Falls Church or McLean.