2014 CSA Share Information for Returning Shareholders

2014 Chatfield CSA Share Prices and Information

The Chatfield Community Supporting Agriculture (CSA) provides a season of sustainably grown produce from mid-June through late October. The Gardens CSA is unique because we offer a market-style distribution which allows shareholders to select their own produce. The distribution process varies depending on the amount of weekly produce, but takes at least 10 minutes. There are two distribution sites to pick up shares: Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street on Tuesdays from 4-7 p.m. and Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield in Littleton on Thursdays from 4-7 p.m. 

You can purchase your shares online starting (for yourself or as gifts) Jan. 6, Monday at 8a.m. You will need your email from last year in order to purchase a share. Please click on this link https://chatfieldcsa.org/login or visit our homepage to get started.

In 2014, the Chatfield CSA will offer one share size. The previous large and small shares have been combined to create one share that feeds approximately 3-4 people. Please visit the CSA page on our website for a list of typical produce that is distributed. 

2014 Full Share: $475 

The full-season vegetable share lasts approximately 23 weeks and the season has been extended by 2 weeks. A new fall pick up with Thanksgiving food items has also been added to include herbs, winter squash and root vegetables. This share size is larger than 2013’s small (2-3 person) share.

NEW: Supporting Share: $800
Shareholders now have the opportunity to sponsor CSA outreach efforts. Supporting Shares will enable the Chatfield CSA to continue and expand efforts to increase healthy food access to low-income families. The cost of this share includes the $475 full share plus $325 to sponsor outreach projects. *All Supporting Shares are partially tax-deductible and letter of donation will be provided.

Supporting Share Benefits:

• Enjoy a Longer Season: The Supporting Share produce season will begin earlier in June with lettuces and greens and extend through the fall Thanksgiving pickups.
• Receive Specialty Produce: In addition to receiving the full share, specialty items such as asparagus from the farm will be distributed.
• Farm to Fork Dinner: Invitation to a complimentary special dinner event with a cocktail hour, farm tour and candlelight dinner.

New and continued outreach efforts that are sponsored by the Supporting Share:

• New Chatfield CSA Farm Stand at Denver Human Services: Families that receive federal food assistance can become part of our community and use Electronic Benefit Cards at the farm stand to purchase fresh, discounted CSA produce. For more information, visit the CSA website.
• Denver Botanic Gardens Urban Agricultural Initiative: The CSA will continue to donate produce and programming support to Mo’ Betta Greens Marketplace in the Five Points neighborhood, local food banks, Denver Housing Authority and Cooking Matters. Since the 2010 start of the Chatfield CSA, we have donated more than 10,000 pounds of produce to local organizations!
• The Veteran Reintegration Program: Launched in 2013 as a collaboration between the Chatfield CSA and Gardens’ horticulture staff, the program provides a therapeutic farming experience as well as paid CSA positions to veterans. The program focuses on helping veterans reintegrate into society and learn a new skill. To learn more about Chatfield’s Veteran Reintegration Program, visit our website.

Volunteer Shares 
The Chatfield CSA also offers a limited number of Volunteer Shares. This share provides a $160 discount in exchange for 60 hours of volunteering throughout the growing season (May – October). Volunteer shareholders are a very important part of our program. Please email  for more information and to set up an interview with CSA staff.

2014 SHARE COST ANALYSIS

Share Size	Share Cost	Weeks Included in Share	Adults per Share (approximately)	Cost per Week	Cost per Adult per Week   (2 adults)
Full Share	$475	22	3-4	$21.60	$10.80
Supporting Share	$800	24	3-4	$33.35	$16.68
Volunteer share	$315	22	3-4	$14.32	$7.32
Cheese Share	TBD
Fruit Share	$215 (or $200 returning)	11	one size	$19.54	n/a
Meat Shares	TBD

Split Payments Option

To make payment more manageable, we provide an optional payment plan to split the cost into equal payments. For example: If you purchase the share in February, you have five months to pay in full, so monthly payments will be $95 (full share) or $160 (supporting share).

Additional Shares

We are offering two additional shares this year. Shareholders are required to purchase a vegetable share in order to take advantage of additional shares. Each share will be a 20-week commitment, with upfront payment required.

• Organic Fruit: $200! For renewing members only. We are offering a limited number of fruit shares at this price to show appreciation to our shareholders! The fruit share begins the second week of August and includes approximately 11 weeks of local organic fruit (provided by Ela Family farms in Hotchkiss, CO). Fruit includes pre-bagged organic peaches, plums, pears, apples and cider.
• Heritage Organic Meats: Price TBD - This one-time share features a variety of organic chicken, turkey or beef. Details and purchase information will be sent out at a later date.
• Local Free Range Eggs: $115 Eggs are provided by Eastern Plains Natural Food Co-op, a long-standing organization that supports Colorado small-scale egg producers. All eggs are raised with humane, free-range practices with natural or organic grain feed.

Local Products Available for Weekly Purchase (cash or check)

• Local Organic Mushrooms: One, half-pound bag of mixed mushrooms may be purchased each week. The mushrooms are grown by Hazel Dell Farm located in Fort Collins, CO. Shitake and cremini are the primary mushrooms, along with the occasional oyster, Lion's Mane and portabella mushrooms. 
• Chatfield Honey: Local honey from the Chatfield farm is sold. Shareholders are welcome to visit the bee hives at any time.
• Fresh Cut Flower Bouquets: All flowers are sustainably grown at Chatfield.
• Additional products like local cheeses will be be for sale weekly as well - more information to follow. 

CSA Benefits for All Shareholders

• Local, seasonal artisan products available for individual purchase.
• Weekly CSA e-newsletter.
• Invitations to CSA shareholder events and community activities.
• Discounts on the CSA Education Series that includes classes on canning/preserving and children’s programs held at Chatfield during the growing season.
• Cooking demonstrations and recipes.