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Fresh, local and sustainably-grown produce and meat is a little easier to find in San Marcos these days with the Central Texas Farmers Co-op, a cooperative of small, sustainable farmers in Hays, Caldwell, Blanco and Travis counties.
The co-op offers Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) memberships that give members access to fresh produce, often harvested the day before they receive it.
The Central Texas Farmers Co-op is now taking sign ups for their fall season vegetable and meat shares. The deadline to register is Sept. 25 and space is limited.
Pick ups will be on Tuesdays from 4-7 p.m. at Zelicks Ice House, 336 W. Hopkins St., with the first CSA pick up scheduled for Oct. 1.
The Central Texas Farmers Co-op started in September of 2016 when a group of young farmers and farming advocates began to meet on a monthly basis to discuss the opportunities and benefits that might be created through working together, rather than in competition. From these meetings a new cooperative association was formed. The Central Texas Farmers Co-op is jointly owned and democratically controlled by small and beginning local farmers. They work exclusively with small farms, with membership to the co-op being limited to farms that gross less than $250,000 a year at the time they apply.
Community Supported Agriculture is a partnership between farms and their customers. Members of the CSA invest in their share of crops before the upcoming season. This helps farmers by allowing them to have capital in a time when costs are high but incomes are low. It also helps to decrease the amount of risk a farmer has to take on by having a guaranteed market for their products. CSAs also benefits the customer by giving them access to ultra fresh produce and a direct relationship with their farmers. They also have the assurance that their food is being produced in a way that respects natural resources, supports local economy and encourages the continued existence of sustainable food production in the community.
The fall produce CSA program runs for 12 weeks, Oct. 1- Dec. 17, and membership costs $437 — approximately $35 a week — for the bountiful basket which feeds 2-4 people, or the individual size basket for $250 — approximately $20 a week — which feeds 1-2 people.
The fall meat CSA is delivered once a month, starting Oct. 1 and ending Dec. 3. It provides a variety of pasture-raised pork, beef and chicken — or members may choose a combination of these kinds of meat. Shares include a variety of prime cuts as well as ground, sausage, soup bones and more. In general, CSA members receive an average of 15 pounds of animal products per month with an average cost of $8 per pound. Membership for the fall meat CSA is $374.50 for 3 months — or approximately $120 a month.
Along with their produce and meat, members receive a newsletter with recipes, volunteer opportunities and information about the farmers and the land they steward. The co-op also offer members an annual potluck dinner, farm tour, and a class on how to prepare and store local food.
Email [email protected] for more information or go to the co-op's website.
