More than just a box of veggies

“Getting local organic vegetables has been so much fun for our toddler, and has helped her be more adventurous with eating. Sometimes the broccoli is purple! Or the carrots have two 'legs'! We wouldn’t have been able to afford this otherwise.” - 2024 Partner Shares participant

This little moment - purple broccoli, wiggly carrots, and a toddler discovering the joy of vegetables - is what the Partner Shares Program is all about. 

With support from Partner Shares, people navigating tight budgets or tough circumstances can still bring home fresh, nutritious produce from a local farm. It’s not just about access to food - it’s about expanding access to the experience of eating well and feeling connected to the farms that feed us.

But Partner Shares is just one piece of the food access puzzle.

Through the Community Partnerships program, FairShare also supports farms in getting bulk fresh produce into food pantries, community centers, and schools - places already doing critical work to nourish low-income and marginalized community members. These partnerships are able to sustain and elevate the impact of the work they're already doing with support from the Community Partnerships program. 

So far in 2025, FairShare has already been able to support 166 households through Partner Shares and 5 organizations through Community Partnerships. Altogether, that is over 1,100 individuals receiving fresh food from local farms through these programs.

This work is possible because people like you believe everyone deserves access to fresh, local food. Will you make a gift here to keep this momentum going? Every dollar helps grow these connections - between farms and families, food and dignity, community and care.

From Challenges to Change: Building Better Farm Labor Experiences

Farming is so many things.

It’s land stewardship, community care, and growing beautiful food. It’s also physically demanding, can be all-encompassing, and is usually full of best laid plans that sometimes go right but other times require last-minute pivoting. 

Ultimately, it’s the hands in the dirt that make smaller scale diversified farming possible in our region. And those hands belong to both farm owners and hired farmworkers.

It’s pretty common for farming and other labor-intensive industries to be viewed as unskilled. The thought that, “It’s hard work, but it’s not all that complicated.”

At FairShare, we recognize farm work as skilled work. One of the ways we are supporting this is through the Organic Vegetable Farm Manager Apprenticeship program - the first of its kind in the country! 

Apprentices work side by side with experienced farmers to learn the ins-and-outs of what it takes to run an organic vegetable farm. In doing so, the program connects established farms with dedicated longer-term employees who are motivated to learn, and offers a structure for apprentices to develop their skills while being paid a progressive wage. 

While they move through the day-to-day work, farmers are also constantly contending with – you guessed it: weather. And despite what the weather may be, the reality is that farmers often need to be out in the field for some period of time most days. 

As we see more days with unhealthy air quality and as temperatures rise, questions of what farming can - and maybe should - look like during these conditions are moving to the forefront. In response, FairShare is connecting farmers with tools and resources that will help keep people safe in real time while also building safety into their farm cultures.

As conditions for farm work continue to evolve, we are committed to supporting our growers to weather those conditions while valuing their labor as they work to feed our communities.

Resources:

• Hot Potato Resource Library

• Hot Potato: Heat Safety Where you Work (video)

• Staying Safe in Conditions of Smoke and Fire

Think CSA isn't for You? 5 Myths That Might Be Holding You Back

Thinking about getting a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share but have some hesitations? We get it — there are plenty of misconceptions floating around about CSA. But we're here to set the record straight and show you why signing up might be one of the best food decisions you make this year!

Myth #1: CSA is Too Expensive

💰 Reality: A CSA can actually save you money!

When you break it down, a CSA share often costs less per week than shopping for the same quality produce at a grocery store. Plus, you’re getting peak-freshness, locally grown food while directly supporting farmers. Win-win!

Ways to make a CSA more affordable:

• Meal plan around your share to maximize value

• Store produce properly to reduce waste

• Consider splitting a share with a friend

• Check for payment plans or sliding scale options

Myth #2: I Won’t Use Everything in My CSA Box

🥕 Reality: You’d be surprised how easy it is!

Worried about food waste? Many farms offer storage tips, meal plans, and simple recipes to help members make the most of your share.

Plus, you can always freeze extra produce, swap items with a friend, or try a quick and easy meal like a salad (toss greens with a simple dressing), stir-fry (throw veggies in a pan with your favorite sauce) or soup (blend extra veggies into a cozy, nutritious meal).

Myth #3: CSA Only Runs in the Summer

🍂 Reality: Many farms offer fall, winter, and even year-round options!

While summer shares are the most well-known, many CSA farms provide fall and winter shares with hearty root vegetables, squash, and leafy greens. And CSA isn't just for vegetables - may farms also offer local grains, eggs, and even meat or dairy add-ons.

Myth #4: CSA is Only for Serious Cooks

🍳 Reality: If you can chop and toss veggies in a pan, you’re good to go!

You don’t need to be a master chef to enjoy a CSA. Simple, no-fuss meals like roasted veggies, sheet pan dinners, and smoothies make it easy to use fresh produce without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus, your CSA will introduce you to new ingredients in an approachable way - no fancy knife skills required!

Myth #5: I’ll End Up with a Fridge Full of Weird Veggies

😆 Reality: You’ll get a mix of familiar favorites and fun new finds!

Sure, you might meet a veggie you’ve never tried before (we're looking at you, kohlrabi), but that’s part of the adventure! Most CSA boxes include plenty of well-known staples like greens, carrots, tomatoes, and potatoes, along with the occasional surprise.

Ready to Try a CSA?

CSA makes eating fresh, local food easy, affordable, and fun. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just looking for an easy way to eat better, there’s a CSA option that can work for you.

Find your CSA today!