CSA Shares

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) represents a simple, direct relationship between farmer and consumer. In a CSA, shareholders pay an agreed upon price at the beginning of the season and receive a weekly supply of vegetables throughout the growing season.

This method benefits both the farmer and the local community, as the farmer receives a pre-season payment providing financial stability when they need it most, and the shareholder receives wonderfully fresh, locally grown produce each week without concerns of pesticides, preservatives, or unfair labor practices. There are currently thousands of CSAs in the United States, each one taking on the unique flavor of its local community!

Started in 2002, Calypso’s CSA is based on a partnership between the Farm and its shareholders which begins long before each growing season. Shareholders purchase a share of the season’s harvest and Calypso invests that money into the seeds, equipment, and supplies needed to provide community members with fresh and delicious locally grown produce.

Calypso offers vegetables shares on a sliding scale for lower income families and to shareholders paying with food stamps. In 2020, we began offering CSA shares on a Pay What You Can basis, up to 50% off, for anyone in need of a little extra help to feed themselves and their families fresh, local food.

Joining a CSA is a great way to create a connection to a local farm while receiving a weekly supply of fresh vegetables throughout the growing season. By joining Calypso's CSA, our hope is that you will gain a deeper connection to your food source, be introduced to new vegetables and herbs, experiment with new ways of cooking, learn more about where and how your food is grown, and know that your partnership is contributing to the viability of the Farm and the community!

Southside Community Farmers Market | Tuesdays 5pm - 6pm
Located at the corner of 24th Ave. & Rickert St. in South Fairbanks

Ester Park | Tuesdays 5pm - 6pm
Located at Ester Community Park next to the Ester Fire Station

Beaver Sports | Thursdays 5pm - 6pm
3480 College Road, Fairbanks

Calypso is dedicated to providing its CSA shareholders with delicious veggies all summer long, however, we have a much larger mission and encourage all shareholders to join us in our efforts by becoming Calypso members! Membership is an annual donation of any amount that goes toward our educational programs and efforts to improve food access in our community.

Members receive discounts on workshops and camps, as well as one free over-the-phone home gardening consultation.

Calypso’s “Pay What You Can” initiative is designed to support our friends and neighbors in need. CSA Shares are available on a Pay What You Can basis, up to 50% off. The funds available for Pay What You Can discounts are limited and it is our hope that those who need it most will be able to benefit. We ask that you keep the broader community in mind and if you’re able to pay in full, please do - your extra dollars will support someone who is unable to.

Calypso is committed to making locally grown food accessible to all members of our community, regardless of income or circumstance. By making a donation to this fund, you’ll be directly supporting Calypso’s ability to offer Pay What You Can discounts on CSA Shares and more, joining us in coming together and contributing in solidarity with our friends and neighbors.

Weekly shares will be pre-packed in reusable cloth bags. Shareholders will each be "issued" 2 bags. When you pick up each week, you'll bring the previous week's empty bags back so we can wash and reuse them for the next pickup.

When you sign up, a $50 refundable deposit ($25 per bag) will be added to your total. When you return your bags at the end of the season, your deposit will be refunded.

In addition to online payments via credit card or PayPal, we also accept cash, check and Food Stamps for CSA payments.

Payment plans are available to shareholders who prefer to make monthly payments instead of one payment of the full amount. Those who choose this option will have their total balance divided into four equal payments, with the first payment due at the time of sign-up. All shares must be paid in full by July 1st.

To pay using food stamps, cash, or check, give us a call at 907-451-0691 to sign up.

We encourage all CSA members to get involved at Calypso by volunteering as a way for you to strengthen your connection to the farm! Due to COVID-19, volunteer opportunities may be limited this year but we will provide updates in the weekly Farm Notes.