- $30–$50
- a week, the typical subscription
- May–October
- the typical season, from late May through the end of October
- 5
- farm shares here with delivery to Colorado Springs
A family-sized mixed box share. Photo courtesy Austin Family Farms / Mountain Freshies
Good food recognizes the interdependence of all living creatures and is a mark of a thriving community, from the symbiotic relationship between soil microbes and the growing plant, to the farmers and community members who harvest, deliver and enjoy the food. From San Luis Valley potatoes to Palisade peaches to Rocky Ford melons, Colorado’s agricultural roots run deep.
One way to support local farms is to join a Community Supported Agriculture program. For a yearly fee, CSA members receive a weekly produce box at peak freshness and nutritional value. Here are a few farmers running CSAs with delivery to Colorado Springs who share a passion for building healthier soils, supporting the local community and strengthening the local food system. Subscriptions range between $30–$50 a week and typically deliver from late May through the end of October. Many offer alternative payment plans and are open to volunteers upon inquiry.
Frost Farms / Sunflower Fields Farm
Will Frost descends from a lineage of agriculturalists on the multigenerational Frost Farms. He studied creative writing and literature in Montana before rejoining the family farm to run the produce operation. With a heart for addressing food insecurity and community education, Frost has partnered with local schools and was instrumental in starting last year’s Southeast Farmers Market.
Soleil Washburn of Sunflower Fields Farm grew up in the Southeast and, after a career as a fashion model, was going to be a lawyer before finding her passion for farming. Frost and Washburn will partner for a joint CSA that provides optional add-ons including honey, eggs and meat from Frost Livestock Company.
Pick-ups begin June 10 (Wednesdays at Colorado Farm and Art Market downtown at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum) and June 13 (Saturdays at CFAM at Margarita at Pinecreek). Includes 9- and 18-week options.
Austin Family Farms / Mountain Freshies
Before family patriarch Glenn Austin moved to the North Fork Valley more than 50 years ago, his time working at Monsanto convinced him of the importance of prioritizing natural methods, those the family farm was founded on when he began it in the early 1990s. Today, grandsons David and Eric continue the Austin Family Farm legacy as the primary producer for the Mountain Freshies CSA.
Mountain Freshies is the local aggregator and wholesale distributor for various farms in the region. Subscriptions include 15-week and 8-week options with fruit, vegetable and mixed options from July 8–Oct. 14.
Wednesdays in Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs; Thursdays in Monument and Black Forest. Pick-ups from non-retail locations have access to additional add-ons like honey and eggs.
New Roots Farm
Susan Gordon grew up in the Midwest and attended college at the University of Notre Dame before coming to Colorado, where she was exposed to agriculture and the works of writer and farmer Wendell Berry. As a social worker, she worked at the Myron Stratton Home, in schools and other healthcare settings, but eventually began farming to provide quality food for her family and to further integrate her values and work. Over two decades later, Gordon remains active in the local food community, from selling tomato starts at the Hunt or Gather Buying Club to hosting planting parties and teaching volunteers on her farm.
17-week shares from June through October. Wednesdays at the Colorado Farm and Art Market downtown and at the farm in Cañon City.
Ahavah Farms
Over a decade ago, Yosef Camire left a successful career as a biomedical engineer to slow down and reconnect with the natural world. On this journey he began to appreciate how the most complex, nutritious foods were whole foods that grew from plants and began embracing a more holistic view of food. Over the years, the Camires have hosted yearly farmers’ markets and educational classes for the community.
Year-round, customizable vegetable CSA with weekly pickups in Monument, Peyton and Colorado Springs. SNAP eligible.
Good Steward Farms
Dan Zimmerman worked as an engineer for a water technology company before pivoting to farming, a health journey that involved addressing his own diabetes. His wife, Sonya, has been active in local food advocacy managing the Colorado Farm and Art Market and the Southeast Farmers Market. Dan also heads up the Solid Rock CDC’s newly opened aquaponics farm and serves with the Southeast Food Coalition. This year, the Zimmermans will be running their first CSA.
SNAP eligible. Visit the website for current pickup locations and subscription options.