Geneva Green Market: Geneva, Illinois - A Local Food Green Farmers Market

Many farms offer produce subscriptions, where buyers receive a weekly or monthly basket of produce, flowers, fruits, eggs, milk, meats, or any sort of different farm products.

A CSA, (for Community Supported Agriculture) is a way for the food buying public to create a relationship with a farm and to receive a weekly basket of produce. By making a financial commitment to a farm, people become “members” (”shareholders” or “subscribers”) of the CSA. Most CSA farmers prefer that members pay for the season up-front, but some farmers will accept weekly or monthly payments. Some CSAs also require that members work a small number of hours on the farm during the growing season. A CSA season typically runs from late spring through early fall. The number of CSAs in the United States was estimated at 50 in 1990, and has since grown to over 2000.

Here in Geneva Illinois, and the Fox Valley, we have many choices with CSAs. Some continue into the fall.

Erehwon Farms:
Seven weeks of wonderful fall produce such as winter squash, pie pumpkins, carrots, radishes, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, spinach, Swiss chard, lettuce, parsnips, tatsoi, Read More…

Nate Sumner and Dan Fernandes, of Rebel Food Company, were featured on the front page of the Kane County Chronicle, June 12, 2008 edition in an article entitled Rebels with a carrot: Founders hope organic farm holds its own at Kane markets:

Steve Arnold, manager for the Kane County Farm Bureau, said that there has been increasing interest in organic ventures… “As a prep cook, my chef would give me 20 bucks and say, ‘Get the best,’” Sumner said. “My favorite part of it was talking to all the farmers but I never grew anything on my own.” He started a garden two years ago when his wife gave him five packs of seeds for Easter. He later interned at Green Earth Institute in Naperville. The institute focuses on training organic farmers.

They are planting heirloom crops with numerous varieties. “The more diversity makes sure you have better yields,” Sumner said. The two hope to become mainstays at Kane County farmers markets, starting with Geneva’s Green Market…

Visit Rebel Food Co online at www.localharvest.org/farms/M19397