Choosing a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) provider can be a lot like picking a mate. It's a (hopefully) a long-term commitment to someone who will literally provide you with sustenance and inspiration, specifically in the kitchen. And like dating, sometimes you have to try a few before you find the one you want to stick with for good.
So consider the upcoming third annual CSA Fair at the Nashville Farmers’ Market this Saturday, Feb. 25, to be your chance to do a little speed dating with some of the best the growers, ranchers and purveyors who service the Middle Tennessee area. The free event is co-sponsored by the market and Local Table magazine and runs from 10 a.m. to 2 pm.
Farmers will set up booths with photos of their farming operations as well as brochures that describe their offerings. Most will be happy to share what might be in a particular bushel share at any given time of the year so you can get an idea of the variety to expect.
There are many different models ranging from the size of share, duration of the season, frequency of pickup/delivery and even some that are total à la carte options. I went last year and learned a lot while discovering new options I had never heard of before.
Here’s a list of some of the purveyors you can meet and learn from at the CSA Fair:
FULL SHARE CSAs
Arugula's Star
Allie Mills Neal
Athena's Harvest Farm
Jesse Fleisher
Barefoot Farmer
Jeff Poppen
Bells Bend Farm
Eric Woolridge
Bloomsbury Farm
Lauren Palmer
Delvin Farms
Hank Delvin
Fresh Harvest
Tally May
PRODUCE
Green Door Gourmet
Sylvia Ganier
Hill & Hollow CSA
Robin Verson
Katharos Farm
Tommy Parker
Myers Family Beef
Susan Myers
No. 9 Farm
Stephanie Oaks
Old School Farm
Ben Brown
Rosie Belle Farm
Paul and Pat Schertz
Sugar Camp Road
Lizzie Wright
Whites Family Farm
Demetria, John or Paul White
MEAT
Ladies of the Lamb
Elaine Dustin and Judy Conway
Tennessee Grassfed
Phil Baggett
Virgin Bay Seafood
Cathy Stoltz
Wedge Oak Farms
Karen Overton
FLOWERS AND HERBS
Double N Urban Farm & Apothecary
Nicole Mattingly
Whites Creek Flower Farm
Laura Bigbee-Fott
So before you swipe right on a new produce provider, why not make your way to the fair and make a more informed decision?
