CSA boxes

[heirloomtomaguy]

Has anyone ever sold tomatoes to a csa program? If so how much per pound is the fair market value. I understand im not getting store price or farmers market price but i also dont want to give away my all my tomatoes.....unless its to my church or a food bank. Any ideas?

[saltmarsh]

My son in Michigan sells to a CSA co-op. They booked all of his tomatoes at $3.50 per pound. He is also growing onions and a couple of other vegetables for them.

Check to see what's in your area. If there's a co-op in your area, they will help with everything from free land to grow on, shared equipment, advice on varieties to grow, help with problems, harvesting requirements and a decent price for your produce. Claud

If there's one in your area, you'll want to contact the farm manager. He or she will have the details.

[Wi-sunflower]

Wow, $3.50 / lb is outrageously high, even for at a farmers market around here. Except for some "certified organic" most of us feel lucky when we can get $2 / lb.

Carol

[feldon30]

Originally Posted by Wi-sunflower

Wow, $3.50 / lb is outrageously high, even for at a farmers market around here. Except for some "certified organic" most of us feel lucky when we can get $2 / lb.

Carol

This is a topic I've discussed with my gardening partner who is from Ohio. He thinks farm-fresh onions should be 99 cents a pound, tomatoes $1.50 / lb. How do you make any money like that? I guess it's still that idea that local produce is just a commodity dictated by price, not something special.

Meanwhile in Houston, which has one of the lowest costs of living in the US, a good heirloom tomato at a farmer's market can go for $4 / lb. People appreciate and pay extra for gourmet food.

I've been offered the chance to sell excess tomatoes, but I won't let them go for less than $2 / lb wholesale.

[Fred Hempel]

Ah yes. Fair market price. Unfortunately it depends on your customer's definition of "fair" and the "market". We have found out that these numbers change year to year, and some years they drop.

It is typically hard to get 1/2 of retail for tomatoes from stores. I think you should be getting 3/4 of retail if you are selling to a CSA, because in that case the "retailer" is assuming lower risk related to storage and purchasing fluctuations. They are buying to distribute immediately.

The more unique (and flavorful) your product, the more you can reasonably ask for too. In many places common heirloom tomatoes have been commoditized and during peak season the price falls dramatically.

[heirloomtomaguy]

Saltmarsh,
I live in the los angeles area and co ops barely exist. I really wished they did but with limited open space farms barely exist in my area. We need to un pave some land around here. Lol.

The goin rate for heirloom or specialty tomatoes at retail stores and farmers markets is petty much 4 bucks per pound. If i could get 2.50 or 3 per pound i would be more than happy.

Fred,
If i could get that 3/4 of retail i would be very pleased. Im waiting to here back from the csa director with her offer. Im growing about 100 plants this year nothing ordinary. Did i mention 32 of the plants are Artisans of all varieties. Guess your tomatoes might just be part of a csa box here in glendora.

[saltmarsh]

Originally Posted by heirloomtomaguy

Saltmarsh,
I live in the los angeles area and co ops barely exist. I really wished they did but with limited open space farms barely exist in my area. We need to un pave some land around here. Lol.

The goin rate for heirloom or specialty tomatoes at retail stores and farmers markets is petty much 4 bucks per pound. If i could get 2.50 or 3 per pound i would be more than happy.

Heirloomtomatoguy. With 100 plants and 30 varieties, it will be hard to find a market for them other than a CSA.

Last year we grew 250 plants and 75 varieties. We sold those and other vegetables at a local farmers market and had a lot of fun with it(Gave a lot of cherry and smaller types to kids to let them taste the difference for themselves). We canned a lot, donated to the local rehabs, and ate a lot of tomato and mayo sandwiches. We do love tomato sandwiches. If you can't get the price you want for the tomatoes, invite a bunch of neighbors over and have a tomato sandwich block party. Claud

We sold all our produce for $2.00 a pound.

[Fred Hempel]

What are the regulations for farm stands in your area. It might be worth thinking about.

[heirloomtomaguy]

Not sure but if i put my twin 4 year olds out there i bet i would get more business. Kind of like a lemonade stand but with tomatoes.

[MartinM]

Originally Posted by heirloomtomaguy

Not sure but if i put my twin 4 year olds out there i bet i would get more business. Kind of like a lemonade stand but with tomatoes.

In Fact thats just what I would do- Here in Downtown SF, I am absolutly amazed every time I go to the Ferry Building on Saturday morning and look at the produce they are selling. They are not Heirloom Tomatoes they are "Dirty Girl Tomatoes". I would use the "Twins" as your Brand. See if the CSA would let you put some type of flyer in their boxes introducing your brand and story.

Martin

[heirloomtomaguy]

Hey is this the Martin that talked super hots with me at Freds tomato breeding class in Sunol

[lexusnexus]

Sorry, I know I'm a little groggy because of my pills, but what is "csa"?

Dan

[heirloomtomaguy]

Community supported agriculture. Its local grown produce either delivered to your door or for pick up at a specified location and usually organic or at least around here.

[saltmarsh]

Originally Posted by lexusnexus

Sorry, I know I'm a little groggy because of my pills, but what is "csa"?

Dan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communi...ed_agriculture

[lexusnexus]

Thanks, Heirloom. Don't remember seeing that term in our area. But I haven't been looking either.

Dan