CSA Share Value

Commitment to Quality & Community

Over the last decade, Gorman Farms has grown into a successful, community-driven farm. We strive for the highest standards of quality, consistency, diversity and quantity.  To maintain these standards, we intentionally over-produce each year to ensure that unexpected events – like weather and pests – don’t compromise the quality of the harvest.

Often, this extra produce is successfully harvested, and our CSA members are given first choice before any surplus goes to donations.  More about our donations.

There is a difference between the price of a CSA membership and the actual value received each week. Sometimes the produce and benefits members receive exceed the membership cost.  We provide this extra value as a way to show appreciation to our members and to support a sustainable farm model that doesn’t penalize customers when Mother Nature presents the unexpected.

The value of your share is built in

The value of your CSA membership is built into the program and into each share you collect.  Each season, we distribute surplus produce to our members – sometimes exceeding the direct retail value of what you receive.  Over the course of a season, the same amount spent at a grocery store checkout might yield less produce than your Gorman Farms CSA share. Of course, everyone shops differently, but our goal is to maximize value and variety for our members..

In addition to surplus produce, your CSA membership includes exclusive access to our “Members Only Pick-Your-Own Flower and Herb Garden”.  This garden is a labor of love, requiring upfront costs and ongoing maintenance throughout the season.  Based on strong member feedback, we’ve learned the garden enhances the CSA experience, so we provide this feature free of charge.

Farming Realities & Sustainability

At Gorman Farms, we rarely fall back on the common CSA saying that “the customer suffers if the farmer suffers”.  While there are occasional challenges, these instances are few and far between.

Each year brings its own unique set of challenges.  Farming requires managing perishable products and large-scale production elements that are largely dependent on Mother Nature – factors that are often out of our control.  As our business grows, we must carefully manage our margins.  Maintaining a viable farm while shouldering the burden of uncontrollable elements is a delicate balancing act.

Like most farmers, we’ve faced raising costs for foundational operations, processes and supplies – far above what we’ve experienced over the past decade.  Despite these pressures, we remain committed to providing high-quality produce and a rewarding CSA experience for our members.