What is a CSA model?

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. CSA’s present a great way for the public to access fresh local produce while supporting their community’s farmers. A CSA program is supported by it’s produce box members, who pay upfront for the delivery of produce over a season. Typically, a CSA is comprised of just one farm, but because there are so many smaller producers in the area, Sierra Bounty presents the unique solution of pooling produce from a number of farms. This is beneficial to the produce box member in that it creates a truly “bountiful” produce box, in which the produce travels from a small region but envelops significantly varying microclimates. So, Sierra Bounty isn’t technically a CSA, but we operate using a similar model.

How do I become a produce box produce box member?

We have a few remaining produce shares for the summer of 2011.  If you are looking for other ways in which you can support local agriculture, please view our membership form. By donating to Sierra Bounty, you provide the resources we need to promote the sustainability of agriculture in the Eastern Sierra.

How often are produce boxes supplied and how much food do they usually contain?

In the summer of 2010, Sierra Bounty produce boxes were available to 50 produce box members on a bi-weekly basis. Because of a successful 2010 season we will be expanding sales to 75 produce box members, and offering weekly produce deliveries. Our produce boxes are ample, feeding 2-4 people for a week or more depending on the amount of produce consumed per family. We offer optional buy-ins for pasture-raised eggs, freshly cut flowers and artisan breads, with an additional fee.  The quantity of produce in each box varies throughout the summer. In the first month or so, boxes may seem skimpy, however, the abundance of produce available in early fall will exceed any produce box members expectations. Such drastic variances reflect the climatic and environmental challenges of growing produce in the Eastern Sierra, where the onset of the growing season can be especially delayed.

Is all of the produce organic?

Sierra Bounty emphasizes reducing the carbon footprint associated with non-local produce. Most produce grown in the United States travels an average of 1,500 miles before going to market. This figure doesn’t even take into account the produce imported from Latin America or Asia! So while not all of the produce in the box may be certified organic, a tremendous environmental impact is made when supporting local agriculture. In reality, the majority of the local growers supplying produce to Sierra Bounty are using organic methods, even if they aren’t “certified organic,” and likewise use environmentally responsible farming practices.

What are the benefits of being a produce box member?

A produce box member gains access to the freshest and most sustainably transported produce available in the Eastern Sierra. Boxes include a wide variety of produce that differs from week to week, allowing produce box members to build meals around the seasonal yields. Produce box members also have the ability to influence what a grower may plant the following year. Growers benefit by knowing how to align production with market demand. Buying a share supports local economy. produce box members have a stake in agriculture; they are able to foster its viability, expansion and sustainability for the benefit of their community.

Are there risks involved in being a produce box member?

There are certain shared risks involved in joining any CSA. When snow at high elevation wipes out the primary crop of one grower, his or her loss is considered a loss for all produce box members. Accepting this risk is just one way for a CSA to provide support to local growers. A produce share from Sierra Bounty is unique in that risk is minimized when pooling from a diversity of crops and growing areas. Sourcing produce from multiple growers is advantageous since environmental and pest related crop failures are not likely to be ubiquitous. Pooling crops effectively safeguards our produce box members from extensive losses.

How much does Sierra Bounty charge for its services?

We offer additional buy-ins to produce box members and to the public for fully butchered pasture raised chickens and turkeys. Chickens will be available in three intervals over the summer. Turkeys will be ready toward the end of October. All poultry can be pre-ordered and is only available on a first come first serve basis. Poultry buy-ins are not included in the cost of a box share.

Please contact Sierra Bounty for pricing and ordering.