Signal Mountain Farm CSA subscribers receive a variety of fresh produce each week during harvest, from May to September.More Info
Metro CSA pickup locations:* Chattanooga Market, 1829 Carter St.* Downtown Family YMCA, 301 W. Sixth St.* Main Street Farmers Market, 325 E. Main St.
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East Hamilton CSA pickup location:* Hamilton Family YMCA, 7430 Shallowford Road
Signal Mountain Farm owner Tom O'Neal is making several changes to the farm's community-supported agriculture program for the coming season. He says the changes will offer greater value and benefits for subscribers.
"This is going to be our best CSA year ever," said O'Neal.
The farm has partnered with area YMCA branches - Downtown, North River and Hamilton - to serve as locations where subscribers can pick up their weekly boxes of fresh produce from the farm. Other pickup locations at area farmers markets give subscribers a window of just a few hours in the afternoon that they can retrieve their box, while subscribers picking up at the YMCA have from 4-9 p.m. each Wednesday.
"I think it's going to be a good thing for the future," he said of the YMCA partnership.
He is also shortening the season from 24 to 18 weeks, which he said will provide better value overall for subscribers.
"This will allow us to pack the boxes with more consistent variety, which in the past has always been really good, but can get a little repetitive in the fall," said O'Neal. "We've grown exceptional spring and summer crops for 19 years, and we're just going to do what we do best."
All CSA members will also receive a 10-percent discount card that can be used year-round at local farmers markets where the farm sells its fresh produce: the Chattanooga Market, Main Street Farmers Market and Signal Mountain Farmers Market.
"That's a big bonus for customers," O'Neal said.
The farm is also changing how half-shares are distributed. These subscribers got a box once every two weeks in the past, but will now get food once a week.
"I don't feel like that was as good for the customers," he said, adding that while portions will be smaller, produce will stay fresher.
Signal Mountain Farm's CSA season runs May-September, and the goal is to sign people up in advance, as part of the point of a CSA is for consumers to share in the expenses of the farm during the growing season in order to share in the benefit of fresh produce at harvest time.
Registration forms are available on the farm's website at signalmountainfarm.com, with the option to download the form and mail it in with payment, or to submit form and payment online for a convenience fee. Members can pay in full or in two installments, with the first due at the time of registration.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com