Nourish the Planet is starting a new CSA in the Northern Colorado area. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture and provides local consumers with a direct connection to the farm that produces their food.

How do I apply?

Applying to be a shareholder is easy. For the 2012 season we will be accepting applications on a first come first serve basis from March 1^st to April 1^st. We are a YEAR ROUND program and as such each shareholder will receive one share of food (equaling approximately 20 pounds of product) per week for the entirety of the year.

To apply please call or email Nourish the Planet at:

Northern Colorado Headquarters:
901 S County Rd 31,
Berthoud, Colorado, 80513

Phone: 303-495-3705

Fax: 866-707-9804

What is a CSA?

First introduced into the United States in 1985 and estimated at only 50

farms in 1990, CSA farms now number over 1,900 across the US.

CSAs offer the opportunity to create mutually beneficial relationships for everyone; consumers, farmers, and the community. The consumer receives fresh, healthy produce while supporting local farmers.  These partnerships create an economically sustainable community by keeping small farms in business.  It encourages local economies, working conditions, and the creation of personal connections within the food system. For the shareholder the reward is ultra-fresh food with near zero time spent getting from the farmer to your dinner table. Never frozen, this food isn’t grown thousands of miles away, meaning you get the absolute best quality food while supporting your community.

The scale of CSAs can vary dramatically, from one or two people working a single acre, to much larger operations with several dozen employees and interns on 10 or more acres, all the way up to large-scale farms of hundreds of acres, of which the CSA component is but a subset of a much larger organic growing operation.  As the number of CSAs in the nation has ballooned, so too have the approaches that farmers take to make the idea work.  Almost all CSA operations use organic growing standards, although many cannot afford to, or opt not to, obtain official certification.  Many CSA farms are only a few acres in size and rely mostly on hand labor.  Even though most CSAs focus on vegetable and fruit production, farmers are now expanding the model into meat, egg, and dairy farming, as well as into value-added products such as bread, sauerkraut, or tomato sauce.

How does a CSA work?

Community Supported Agriculture is a marketing strategy where consumers buy “shares in the farm before planting begins and receive a portion of whatever is available each week of the growing season.”  These shares range in price, generally a few hundred dollars per season, and provide enough fresh produce for a family.

Becoming a member entitles you to a share of our harvest.  Our members will receive a substantial weekly amount of produce that should satisfy you and your family’s needs.  This set up guarantees farmers financial support and enables many small-scale farmers to make ends meet.

Purchasing the share upfront helps farmers with the initial seasonal costs; seed, water, labor, material, etc.  Once a membership is purchased, the member has entered into a partnership with the farmer in which everyone shares the risk and reward of each harvest.

The majority of our produce is grown in a greenhouse environment that protects the harvest from catastrophic events such as poor weather or infestation.  Still, our CSA will always attempt to produce more than enough food for our members so supplying you with your weekly requirements.

All additional food will either be sold at local farmers markets or donated to local food banks, depending on the quantity and date of harvest.

Living Essentials CSA Benefits

• Customers have documented that they increase the variety and quantity of produce that they consume.
• Develop healthier eating habits and become more aware of what you are putting into your body.  Translates to other lifestyle and dietary choices, overall healthier eating habits.
• The economic benefits of purchasing food from a CSA compared to what it would have cost for the same produce from local markets.  Better, fresher food for more value, plus all the other benefits.

Locally produced food also is better for us. Studies show that fruits and vegetables lose 40 percent of their nutritional value within three days of being harvested. At the same time, the greater our access to fresh produce, the less likely we are to suffer from diet-related illnesses such as obesity and diabetes—and the more likely our taste buds are to be wowed. There is no flavor comparison between munching an apple just plucked from a tree and one flown in from Chile.

What We Provide

Unlike many Community Supported Agriculture programs, we provide produce to our shareholders year round. We are able to do this because we are supplied by multiple local farmers that grow many different types of produce. This allows for us to provide you with a wide variety of local, healthy food as well as keeping you well stocked regardless of the season.

Your weekly share will always consist of a generous portion of local vegetables, but will also sometimes consist of other farm products depending on availability.

We have partnerships with all local farmers who are dedicated to providing the absolute best quality produce. We pride ourselves with being the direct connection from the Farmer to the Community!

Never ask yourself “where is my food coming from?”

For more information call, fax, or email:

Northern Colorado Headquarters:
901 S County Rd 31,
Berthoud, Colorado, 80513

Phone: 303-495-3705

Fax: 866-707-9804

Email: [email protected]