Our CSA has evolved during the last 6yrs. It started by word of mouth with people interested in eating organic food moving towards people wanting that and local with the just picked freshness that we are able to supply because we sell straight to the consumer. Previously we have offered this as a week by week transaction but as CSA's incur most of their costs before the season even begins we introduced a new model where members purchase a share in the harvest including a share in the ups and downs of the season.Attempts to encourage our customers to support the farm by paying a set amount each week regardless of availability was not received favourably at first. The idea of receiving more for their money in times of glut was OK but when the reverse happened it was hard for some of our customers to accept. But slowly over the last 12 months we have been attracting customers who want to support us as farmers, the producers of their food and they have taken up the offer to share in the risks and the bounties of farming.

Customers are now able to pay quaterly or yearly. Most of our existing customers came on board straight away, and all new customers are taken on only if they agree to subscribe in advance. This way Mark and I have a more secure income as we are still paid even if families go away on holiday or if supply is down for whatever reason. We have a waiting list and if  people pull out they are quickly replaced by new families eager to secure their food supply.

Mondays and Fridays are our harvest days. We pick the produce early in the morning. It is then washed and packed. We offer 3 box sizes depending on family size and vegetable consumption. Boxes contain a seasonal variety of vegetables and fruit plus eggs

Our aim is to increase production to enable us to provide 50 families from our mandala garden. We feel that we are on track with this and certainly are encouraged by the number of enquries we receive for our CSA, but more than that we are encouraged by the people who are enthusiastically supporting us by subscribing and thus ensuring their share in farm fresh, local, organic produce and a connection to the farmers who grow the food they eat.