It might still be a few months away, but we’re already dreaming of the crisp winter days, cozy nights, and a kitchen filled with delicious, locally-grown produce.
Yes, you read that right—enjoying local food in Ottawa throughout the winter is not just a dream, it’s a reality with our Winter CSA!
Why is this so important? Because staying connected to your local food source during the winter months means more than just fresh veggies—it’s about keeping your diet healthy and sustainable, even when the temperatures drop. And most of all, it’s about feeling good knowing that your choices help sustain your health, your community, and the environment.
So as the winter months approach, join us in keeping the spirit of local food alive. Let’s make the colder season something to look forward to with a Winter CSA that keeps your table full and your connection to the farm strong!
CSA isn’t just a purchase—it’s a partnership.
Together, we're creating a more equitable and sustainable food system where farms and communities support each other. By registering early for the CSA program, we both reap the rewards: we receive the essential funds to get everything ready and ensure we have a solid market for our produce, and you enjoy a $20 bonus gift card as a thank you for supporting the Farm’s financial health. Plus, you guarantee yourself a season brimming with delicious, locally-grown food!
Hop on this year-round local food adventure and sign up for your Winter CSA today!
So, how does the Winter CSA work?
The Winter CSA offers all the flexibility you love about the Summer CSA—whether you’re looking for a variety of options, sizes, pickup times, holiday schedules, or payment plans, we’ve got you covered.
Dates:
Fall Only: November 14 to December 21, 2024 (6 weeks)*
Fall + Winter: November 14 - May 17, 2025 (22 weeks)
*6 week break from December 22, 2024 - February 6, 2025
2025 Summer CSA begins May 22, 2025
Pick up times beginning November 14:
Thursday: 1pm-7pm
Friday: CLOSED
Saturday: 10am-3pm
With Ottawa Farm Fresh you can always customize your CSA experience to fit your lifestyle and preferences, making it easy to enjoy fresh, local produce all season long. We’ve designed the Winter CSA to adapt to your needs, ensuring you get the best of our Farm’s offerings throughout the colder months.
What can you look forward to in your Winter CSA?
Your Winter CSA basket will evolve as the season progresses. At the start, you might see some familiar summer veggies, depending on what Mother Nature has in store for us. As winter sets in, expect a shift toward comforting seasonal staples like root vegetables and hearty greens. As we transition into early spring, your basket will start to include vibrant, frost-kissed field greens as the earth begins to awaken.
This is the essence of eating local year-round—experiencing a menu that gradually adapts and provides exactly what your body craves through every season.
Take a look at some medium CSA basket examples from last season
Here is some of what you can expect to make an appearance over the course of the season:
* Root medley: carrots, beets, daikon radish, potatoes, rutabaga, sun chokes, onions, turnips
* Mixed veggies: Cabbage, squash, celeriac, celery, sweet potatoes, parsnips, celery root, kohlrabi, apples, garlic
* Large greens: kale, chard, lettuce, radicchio, herbs, bok choi, tokyo bekana, head lettuce
* Cut greens: arugula, spinach, baby kale, mesclun mix
* Microgreens
* Surprise items: canned goods, herbal teas, bulk foods, lacto-ferments, eggs, tofu
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Winter CSA Real Talk
We think that the Winter CSA is awesome, and so do most of the folks who joined us last season. However, it's important to know that the Winter CSA is a bit different from the Summer CSA, especially when it comes to the variety of produce offered. Before signing up, we encourage you to consider what you typically eat during the winter months and how our offerings align with that.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Root Vegetables Galore: Root vegetables are the heart of the Winter CSA. Expect to find them in your basket every week, so make sure they fit well with your winter diet.
Fresh Greens: While you will get some fresh greens throughout most of the season, they’re not always guaranteed and their variety may be limited due to the colder weather, particularly through February.
Weather and Absences: Winter weather, illnesses, and travel can affect your ability to pick up your baskets. We suggest planning for a few extra holiday weeks off. You can always add more baskets later in the season if needed.
Greenhouse Produce: During winter, we only grow greens and herbs in our greenhouse which remains unheated for most of the winter. Don’t expect to see gas guzzling, energy intensive, heat loving crops like tomatoes and peppers in the Winter CSA.
We’re excited to share the joys of winter produce with you and look forward to a great season together!