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Farm Gate Crate Community Supported Agriculture Box

Help support local food security and employment opportunities by purchasing a CSA share for the Farm Gate Crate

What is the Farm Gate Crate?

The Farm Gate Crate is our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program which provides a weekly box of produce, grown at our urban farm in South Nanaimo. Your purchase helps raise funds for Growing Opportunities, a non-profit farming cooperative that provides employment and enrichment opportunities for people with various abilities and which works in service to the community.

What is in a Farm Gate Crate?

The selection will vary each week depending on what is in season. Growing Opportunities grows 60+ crops over the course of season, assuring you of a diverse mix. For example, some of the items we grow include strawberries, lettuce, tomatoes, celeriac, celery, kohlrabi, onions, winter squash, peppers, leeks, kale, chard, cabbage, carrots, beets, radishes, eggplant, cucumbers, zucchini, patty pan squash, peas and beans. We also grow a variety of culinary herbs, including dill, mint, sage, tarragon, thyme and basil, including holy basil (tulsi).

When is the Farm Gate Crate available?

We have two options for The Farm Gate Crate this season:

12 weeks starting July 4/5, with the last box available on September 19/20; or

16 weeks starting July 4/5, with the last box available on October 17/18.

Who benefits from the Farm Gate Crate?

The Farm Gate Crate initiative provides training and farm-related employment opportunities for individuals with diverse abilities. Your purchase of the crates at market price also helps us subsidize produce sold to Good Food Box programs on the Island. And of course your purchase also helps support local food security by shortening the food supply chain and closing the gap between farm and plate, supports Growing Opportunities, and provides you with freshly harvest, high quality, fresh, nutritious produce.

Is the produce you grow organic?

All the food we grow is done using organic practices, without the use of toxic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or GMO (genetically modified) &/or treated seeds. However, we are not a certified organic farm.

Can I pay for a Farm Gate Crate weekly or as I need one?

The traditional pre-paid CSA model ensures that farmers (us!) have the funds to invest in equipment, seeds and staff to cover the costs of providing the box, and ensures a dependable revenue stream and market for produce.

We may offer weekly boxes at a later point in the season. However, initially we are focused on selling 50 shares of the pre-paid, 12 or 16-week CSA box.

Can I pay by cash or cheque? Are there other payment options?

Yes, we accept payment by cheque or cash. You can also make installment payments as long as the full amount is paid by July 1. Please contact us at info (@) growingopportunities.org to make arrangements.

Do you deliver?

While we don't have the resources to provide delivery, if you have mobility challenges we may be able to make arrangements for you. Please email us at info (@) growingopportunities.org.

Where and when does one pick up the Farm Gate Crate?

There are two South Nanaimo pick up locations to choose from: Westwood Farm (2090 Skaha Drive) or 46 Robarts Street near downtown Nanaimo.

Boxes can be picked up at Westwood Farm from 12 pm - 3 pm on Friday or Saturdays 11 am - 2 pm. Crates can be picked up from Robarts Street on Friday evening or Saturday during the day.

What if I can't pick up my crate?

If you are away on a pick up day, you can defer your crate to the following week, make arrangements to have a friend or family person pick up your crate for you or can choose to donate your crate (we will provide it to a person or family in need). Please email us to make arrangements.

How is the crate packaged?

We will be using dedicated plastic totes labelled with your name and filled each week. To avoid having to charge a tote deposit, we ask that you please bring a reusable bag or tote to transfer the vegetables in, and leave the tote behind. We will have some paper bags available, in case you forget to bring a tote/bag.

How can I help promote the Farm Gate Crate?

Word of mouth helps get information out to people in the community. Please share our social media posts and mention the program to your friends and neighbours. You can also download and print this poster to share in public spaces.

Questions?