csas in la.

i'm not a member of a csa (community supported agriculture), but i've been thinking about it, especially now that i'm doing the eat local challenge. i go to a farmers' market every week at least once and so i thought it would not be cost-effective to join one. after reading this post by jen at life begins @ 30, i'm rethinking.

it was surprisingly difficult to find information about csas in the los angeles area. in fact, only one came up when jen and i performed a cursory search. also, the information is scattered all over the web without one cohesive site pulling it all together. i found this curious and frustrating. i even received an "rca dog look" from a local agriculture commissioner when inquiring about local csas. i'm pretty certain he didn't even know what they are, unfortunately.

i then found a great post at readymade of all places that gave me a good starting point. here are my findings:

tierra miguel foundation, pauma valley.
this organic farm is run by the tierra miguel foundation, a non-profit organization with "the purpose of supporting the earth and its people, by demonstrating and developing sustainable and chemical-free agriculture."

• delivery: they have pick-ups at a variety of spots throughout the counties of los angeles, orange, riverside and san diego (see schedule).
• cost: 31/week
  
• sign-up: open sign-up is now through 25 march. email the farm for more information or subscribe online.

south coast farms, san juan capistrano.
organic farming the "homespun" way. the farm started in 1995 "to make the farm a true community farm with a touch of history, nostalgia, beauty and a connection between a farm, a farmer and your food." note: this farm does augment baskets with  non-local bananas, kiwis and other fruits.

• delivery: pick-up at the farm located at 32701 alipaz, san juan capistrano 92675
• cost: 34/week
• sign-up: george kibby at 949.661.9381

unfortunately, both of these csas are much more costly than those found in say, the bay area. jen pays 19/week for theirs from eatwell farms. sometimes i'm jealous i don't live up there because i love eatwell farms so much.

if anyone else has information on other csas in the la area, i'd really appreciate it.

update:

• thanks to buttyglirl for the link to buy fresh, buy local, which includes a searchable california geographical database to find csas, farms, farmers' markets, u-picks and more. disclaimer: looks like the local folks need to pay to be listed.

• foodroutes.org offers a national search for local food, powered by localharvest.com. i like factoids ("we have lost nearly 67% of our farms since 1920. There are now more prisoners in the US than full-time farmers"). advocacy resources available with free registration.