Cedar Down Farm grows a diversity of certified organic veggies for a nearly year-round farmshare program.
We have 3 distinct share seasons: Summer, Winter and Spring. Members can register for any combination of shares at the time of registration. ***Please note only summer shares are available in Port Elgin***
Our early spring shares are made up of the freshest, tender greens picked from our hoophouses right when you are beginning to crave them most! We begin harvesting beautiful fresh greens and other cold loving veggies in April for 4 early shares to get you through until summer begins!
Summer members receive a weekly share of freshly picked, seasonal vegetables. The veggies are harvested the day before or the morning of your pick-up and brought to one of our drop-off sites for members to pick up.
In the winter, sweet, crisp winter crops and fresh greens are delivered bi-weekly from November to March. We pack our hoophouses with lettuce, spinach, kale and much more and store all of our own hearty crops like potatoes, carrots, squash, onions and more and bring them to you throughout the winter. Scroll down for more information!
Click HERE to see some samples of what our various seasonal shares look like throughout the season.
Early Spring Share
Just when you’re starting to really crave fresh, garden produce, our early greens share serves up crisp lettuce and spinach, crunchy radishes and bok choy, kale, chard and other cold-hearty greens from our hoophouses. The share consists of 4 weekly deliveries beginning in mid-April of lovely fresh greens just when you’re wanting them most. Only available for pickup in Hanover and Guelph.
Summer Share
The Summer Share is 20 weeks long, beginning mid-June and running WEEKLY to the end of October.
- Normally, our drop off is farmers market style – though the content of each week’s share is chosen by the farmers (and the weather!), the veggies are displayed in bulk so you can choose the lettuce or bunch of carrots that appeals to you. Most items are “tradeable” meaning you can swap one for another depending on your taste.
- ***Since the onset of COVID, shares delivered to Guelph are pre-packed for ease of physical distancing and safety. In Hanover and Port Elgin, we have been able to maintain market-style pickups but this is subject to change depending on COVID circumstances and what we are able to do at our pickup locations. Either way, our shares are customizable through choice at market-style pickups or through online customization. Details available upon request or after registration**
- Members receive a bi-weekly farm newsletter, updating them on
farm goings-on and sharing recipes, info and stories.
Winter Share
Our winter CSA share is made up of farm-grown storage and late-season crops to keep you going through the winter. Winter crops from the farm are flavourful and crisp, colourful and nutritious. Our winter share runs for 9 bi-weekly pickups to Hanover or Guelph from early November until early March.
Sign up for a winter share when you sign up in the spring to ensure your spot! Winter shares are limited so make sure to sign up early. Otherwise, contact us in late summer to check availability.
Some of the veggies in the winter share include:
Potatoes, carrots, leeks, beets, parsnip, celeriac, squash, onions, garlic, napa cabbage, green and purple cabbage, kohlrabi, cauliflower, spinach, lettuces, bok choy, endive, kale and collard greens.
We deliver summer shares to the following 3 locations. Spring and Winter shares are delivered to Hanover and Guelph only.
| Pickup | Hanover | Guelph | Port Elgin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Tuesdays 4:00-6:00pm | Thursdays 4:30-7pm (to 6:30 in winter) | Wednesdays 4-6pm |
| Location | Launch Pad Youth Centre, 612 10th St. Hanover | For 2020: Artisanale Restaurant, 214 Woolwich St. Guelph | Port Elgin United Church, 40 Bruce St. Port Elgin |
Share Sizes and Prices 2021
Payment Options
One of the great things about the CSA model is that farmers receive much-needed income at the beginning of the season when most of our costs are incurred. Therefore, we encourage members who are able to pay as much as possible of the of their shares as early as possible in the year. However, you may also pay in installments (if cost is an issue for you, please contact us at the farm to discuss options – we are committed to making our produce available to all members of our community).
Our spring share is offered in one size only. The spring share is $90 for 4 weeks of deliveries. Spring shares are offered in Hanover and Guelph only as of 2021.
For summer and winter, we have two share sizes to choose from, regular and large. Members can also choose to pick up a regular share every other week if less veggies are required.
Regular Share
Feeds two generously:
- Summer: $675.00
- Bi-weekly summer (10 pickups total) – $340
- Winter: $400.00
Large Share
Will easily feed 4 -6 people depending on cooking and eating styles.
- Summer: $1015.00
- Winter: $565.00
Lower Cost Shares:
Our goal is to make nutritious, high quality food available to everyone but we understand that the price of shares can be prohibitive for some members of our community. In collaboration with our membership, we are able to offer reduced priced shares – up to half the cost – to members who need the subsidy. Get in touch with us for more info!
Cedar Down also works with local community service organizations and donates up to 2000lbs per year of produce to their food distribution initiative. Our produce can be found at Chalmers Community Services Centre in Guelph and through the Salvation Army in Hanover.
