Signal Mountain Farm is approaching its 22nd season of offering community-supported agriculture, a system in which consumers subscribe to the harvest of a particular farm.
This year, the certified organic grower hopes to double its CSA membership numbers by offering more convenient pickup options.
In the past, Signal Mountain customers have picked up their weekly CSA boxes at the Signal Mountain Farmers Market, where boxes could only be picked up during a short period of time and were subjected to the elements in the interim. This coming season, which runs from May to the end of October, Signal customers can pick up their boxes at the climate-controlled Signal Mountain Athletic Club, located in the old Signal Mountain Middle School building at 317 Ault Road. They'll also have a longer window of time, with pickups on Thursdays from 2-8:30 p.m. rather than from just 4-6 p.m. as it was at the market.
For those off the mountain, new pickup locations will be added in St. Elmo at The Tap House, on the Southside at The Local Juicery on Main Street, in Red Bank at Bread and Butter, as well as farther afield, at Nutrition World on Lee Highway. There will still be pickup at all area YMCAs and CrossFit Brigade in North Chattanooga.
In addition to expanding its pickup locations, the farm is expanding its CSA season from 18 weeks to 24, which translates into a lot more variety and more fall crops, said owner Thomas O'Neal. Starting a little earlier, at the beginning of May, also means customers will get more strawberries, something the farm offered for the first time this past season.
"We're focusing on the more popular items, like seedless watermelon, strawberries, corn, tomatoes. We have a nice variety and don't overload on one particular item," said O'Neal. "We know what people want after 21 years of doing this, and we plan on doing the best box around."
The CSA includes 24 weekly distributions at $33.25 per share. Payments can be done in one or six installments. To sign up, visit signalmountainfarm.com or call 645-0510.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.