We provide a wide variety of fresh seasonal produce grown w/o pesticides and available from May-Nov
La Vista CSA provides a wide variety of fresh seasonal produce, herbs and flowers grown in a sustainable manner without pesticides. Our season runs mid-May through mid-November, depending on growing conditions. Shares of the Garden’s harvest are sold to area families and individuals. A Full Share with weekly distribution is $550. An Alternate Share distributed every other week is $300. On average, a weekly Share provides two adults with a vegetable-loving diet or a vegetable-supplemented diet for a family of four. A full-time farmer manages the garden and organizational responsibilities are over-seen by a Core Group of volunteers.
Keywords: organic produce, Community Supported Agriculture, CSA, organic, produce, shareholders, vegetables, herbs, flowers, sustainable growing methods, weekly share, alternate share
Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
La Vista has been in operation since 2002, with our 9th season in 2011.
What is your primary product or service?
We are a community supported garden that sells shares of our weekly harvest to families and individuals. Our harvest is made up of about 65 varieties of vegetables, herbs and flowers. Our regular growing season runs from about mid-May to mid-Nov, depending on growing conditions. Produce can be picked up weekly or alternate weeks, depending on the type of share purchased.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
Our produce, herbs and flowers are grown without the use of any chemicals or pesticides. We have also partnered with Live Springs Farm, a producer of pork and chickens raised in a humane manner and fed organic feed.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
We are located on the bluffs along the Mississippi River in Godfrey Illinois.
What type of payments do you accept?
We accept cash or checks. There is a possibility we may accept credit cards by the end of 2011.
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
A Core Group of 8 volunteers make up the board of directors. Individuals are on the board for a period of between 1 and 3 years. We have a full time farmer who manages the farm and who works closely with the Core Group. We also encourage shareholders to donate 3 hours a month to working around the farm in a number of areas, including weeding and greeting fellow shareholders on distribution day.
What are your hours of operation?
Our produce can be picked up between 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays during the regular growing season.