New Lake Forest CSA At Historic Local Farm

LAKE FOREST, IL — Farm shares, also known as community supported agriculture programs (CSA) are food subscription services that allow you to buy local, seasonal food straight from a farm. Customers are usually offered choices of how often and how much food they wish to receive.

In Lake Forest, 100-year-old Elawa Farm has announced a new CSA program this spring. Those who purchase a "share" receive fresh produce each week while also donating to a local historically significant site, Elawa Farm. The farm grows all of our produce and flowers in a restored historic garden using all organic practices, right on the North Shore.

You can choose to receive a weekly box of produce or opt to have Elawa Farm donate your weekly box to the Shields Township Food Pantry. The farm has been donating all leftover veggies, fruit & herbs from our garden and market to the pantry for several years. Located in Lake Bluff, the township's pantry serves about 90 families every month.

Elawa Farm is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the restoration of Elawa Farm, a gentleman's farm built in 1915. The efforts of staff and volunteers have created a garden space that combines traditional farming practices with the needs and interests of our current community. Over two acres are cultivated every year at the farm, providing an array of heirloom tomatoes, lettuces and fresh greens, carrots, beets, squash, honey, flower bouquets, herbs and more.

Striving towards sustainability, the garden utilizes practices such as field rotation, cover cropping, beneficial predation and organic composting. All these practices are executed by volunteers whose work ensures Elawa’s continued role here in the community as a source for fresh, organically grown local produce.

Your weekly box includes:

• Selection of seasonal, organically grown produce
• Recipe highlighting item of the week

The CSA includes 20 weeks at $50/week, with 50% of these fees directly supporting the mission of Elawa Farm and therefore tax deductible. CSA will begin June 2, weekly through October 13. (Upfront payment is required) Pick up on Fridays during market hours: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Shares are limited. For more information or to sign up, call 847.234.1966.

Video of Elawa farm from above:

» via Elawa Farm, top photo via video.