Best Farm Shares In The North Bay
Signing up for a Community Supported Agriculture farm share is one of the best ways to get the freshest local organically-grown produce. Farm shares can include everything from the traditional fruit and vegetables to eggs and meat. For those living in the Bay Area, there are an abundance of farms to choose from. Here is a honed list of five of the best farm shares in the North Bay.
Tierra Vegetables
399 Business Park Ct. #312
Windsor, CA 95492
(707) 837-8366
www.tierravegetables.com
The North Bay's Tierra Vegetables is in its 34th year of providing sustainably grown vegetables. All produce is locally grown in Sonoma County and is pesticide-free. Regular boxes are available in four-, eight- or 34-week seasons, with a discount for longer commitments. Farm pick-up is most common, although selected drop-off locations are available for a nominal delivery fee. Depending on the growing seasons, boxes may contain anything from peppers and melons to greens and berries. The produce in each weekly box feeds between one and four people.
Marin Sun Farms
10905 Shoreline Hwy. 1
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
(415) 663-8997
www.marinsunfarms.com
Marin Sun Farms' CSA offers pasture-raised grass-fed beef, duck, turkey, pork, chicken, goat and lamb. The farm puts together several different sized monthly packages ranging from six to 17 pounds of varied meats and cuts, as well as a poultry-only package. Meat share pickup locations are currently available throughout the North, South and East Bay as well as San Francisco. Several meats are also available by whole or half animal shares.
Bloomfield Organics
12550 Valley Ford Rd.
Petaluma, CA 94852
(707) 876-3261
www.bloomfieldorganics.com
Another Sonoma County-based business, Bloomfield Organics grows organic vegetables, herbs and strawberries. The family farm's CSA program is available year-round. Prices vary depending on pick-up locations and share size. The farm also offers pasture-raised eggs by the half and whole dozen. In addition, the farm is open seasonally for u-pick produce including strawberries, greens and potatoes.
Related: Best Farmers Markets In The North Bay
First Light Farm
40 Fourth St. #234
Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 637-6257
www.firstlightcsa.com
Sonoma County's First Light Farm is a certified organic farm that grows a wide variety of produce including beans, greens, peppers, tomatoes and more. Weekly prices vary depending on share size and pickup location. Box subscriptions are available throughout the growing season – June through December. First Light also has a seasonally open on-site farm stand and regularly offers produce for sale at several area farmers' markets.
Singing Frogs Farm
1301 Ferguson Rd.
Sebastopol, CA 95472
(707) 829-1389
www.singingfrogsfarm.com
Singing Frogs Farm is a family-run farm in Sebastopol. The farm's CSA program runs year round, and both a regular and family-sized box are available. Weekly boxes might contain any combination of the 100-plus crops grown on the farm, including beets, lettuces, corn, cucumbers and onions. Singing Frogs can now accept CalFresh with a 20% match. Also regularly for sale are local organically grown brown rice and olive oil.
Related: San Francisco's Best Gourmet Food Stores
Joanna Metheny is a freelance writer covering all things South Bay. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
