Best CSAs serving Atascadero
The team at Kiler Canyon Farm.
What’s the best place do get fresh produce?
Going to a farmer’s markets is a good place to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, but if you are looking for a steady regular supply of produce, community supported agriculture programs, known as CSAs, are great choice. CSAs allow Paso Robles residents to have direct access to high quality, fresh produce grown on local farms. When you become a member of a CSA, you’re purchasing a “share” of vegetables from a local farmer. Typically, the CSA leaves baskets or boxes of produce for its members to pick up each week. CSAs help feed local families with good food and support the farmers who grow it.
Produce in the CSA baskets are locally grown and usually include foods like lettuces, cabbage, broccoli, kale, cilantro, carrots, dill, spinach, radish, garlic greens, green onions, peas, cress, chard, bok choy, beets, arugula, tomatoes, zucchini, plums, apricots, apples, melons, walnuts and more.
The produce available is seasonally based on what grows locally, so most CSAs run through the growing season of late March to October. Most CSAs provide tasty recipes and suggestions for using unfamiliar produce. Prices of the produce boxes vary, but typically cost about $20-$30 per week.
Community Supported Agriculture CSAs serving Atascadero
Kiler Canyon Farm
Nestled in the oak woodlands west of Paso Robles CA, Kiler Canyon Farm is a diverse operation which includes over 200 varieties of fruits, vegetables and flowers. They believe in nurturing the soil, incorporating water wise techniques, encouraging biodiversity, and working with the natural cycles. Their homestead includes a variety of animals which are integral to the farm, two acres of densely planted fruit orchards, three acres of rotated vegetable ground and 150 acres of grass and woodland that creates a shelter for diversity and wildlife. Their land has been Certified Organic through CCOF since 1989. Their farm produce is sold to CSA members, a program they started in 2000. They drop off produce every week to a shed off Vine Street.
BeeWench Farm
Beewench Farm is a certified naturally grown CSA in Paso Robles providing natural vegetables and produce deliveries of fresh produce, locally grown produce, vegetables, eggs, milk and honey that members have come to rely on. They have been operating since 2009.
Talley Farms
Talley Farms of south San Luis Obispo County delivers produces boxes each week to Kennedy Club Fitness. Talley Farms grows a large variety of vegetables and fruits for their harvest boxes. Boxes include an assortment of fresh salad ingredients, dinner vegetables and sweet fruit. Each box contains 9-12 different produce items and feeds 2-4 people . They offer weekly, bi-weekly and monthly service.
Editor’s note: The Best of Atascadero is a special section of the A-Town Daily News. The series recommends local businesses that the writers and editors have personally met and recommend. The companies listed in this section have proven to be exceptional local providers of goods and services. If you would like to suggest a local business for consideration on the Best of Atascadero series, click here to contact the A-Town Daily News, or call Access Publishing at (805) 226-9890.
