Need fresh produce but wary of stores? These Boise-area farms have subscription boxes
Hoping to avoid grocery stores because of coronavirus concerns? Worried about getting fresh produce on a regular basis? Now might be the perfect time to consider a subscription box filled with fresh food and produce from local farmers, who also need a bump.
Several Treasure Valley farms participate in a type of fresh-food subscription service — known as CSA’s, or Community Supported Agriculture — that delivers anything from fresh produce to specially prepared meals to your front door. It’s similar to popular meal kit services such as Blue Apron or Hello Fresh, but supports Idaho farms and farmers.
Some farms are still taking subscriptions for deliveries that begin soon, while others won’t start delivering until the fall. But spots on the delivery lists tend to fill up fast even without increased interest due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19. Prices vary by farm, but most charge $300-$400 for a full season:
- Little Buddy Farm in Fruitland: Fresh vegetables and fruit
- Black Fox Farm in Garden City: Fresh vegetables
- Boise Backlot Farms: Fresh produce
- Wild Plum Events: Changes weekly, but this week it has fresh herbs, eggs, sausages, Split Rail wine and other local products
- New Choices Farm in Emmett: Fresh produce and eggs
- Earthly Delights Farm in Boise: Fresh vegetables, fruit and herbs
- Peaceful Belly Farms in Boise: Fresh produce, wine and other local products.
- Fiddlers Green Farm in Boise: Fresh vegetables and seasonal flower bouquets
Global Gardens in Boise: Fresh vegetables and herbs
- Field Good Farms in Boise: Fresh vegetables, fruit and herbs
- True Roots Organic in Marsing: Organic produce
- Hen & Hare Microfarm in Boise: Eggs, produce and herbal products
- Holy Green Farms in Nampa: Vegetables, fruit, herbs and edible flowers
Boise Farmers Market postponement pushes local farmers to improvise
The Boise Farmers Market announced last week a decision to postpone the market’s opening date, originally scheduled for April 4. Market manager Tamara Cameron said the postponement, along with reduced business at local restaurants, could be a “double whammy” for vendors and growers.
That’s why many have modified and adapted their usual food distribution plans to accommodate their customers. Cameron said some Treasure Valley producers, such as Desert Mountain Grass Fed Beef, are ramping up deliveries. Others, such as the Matthews Family Farm and Timber Butte Elk Ranch. are joining pop-up markets at the usual Boise Farmers Market site on 1500 Shoreline Drive.
“It makes sense to support local, especially at this time, when businesses are closing and people are unable to work,” said Cameron.
Whether making no-contact deliveries or carefully following social-distancing requirements at pop-up stands, Cameron said producers are doing their best to see that people eat well and safely, even while isolating.
“A big percentage of our vendors are standing by to help people,” Cameron said.
The Boise Farmers Market has a full list with updates on how to order from their vendors online. Go to theboisefarmersmarket.com/localfood to find more, or check out the ones listed below.
- Ohana No-Till Farm: Produce for pickup at the farm
- Purple Sage Farms: Fresh herbs, dry herbs, grass-fed lamb, kombucha dried peppers
- Meadowlark Farm: Lamb and eggs. Contact meadowlarkfarm@q.com or call 208-863-6947
- Little Cow Mountain: Grass-fed beef and eggs
- Fairweather Fish: Salmon, lingcod, prawns, octopus, rockfish and more. Place orders at fairweatherfishco@gmail.com or by calling or texting 208-899-5296.
Do we need to add your farm or CSA to this list? Email your information to nfoy@idahostatesman.com.
This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
