CSA boxes (Community Supported Agriculture) have become quite popular as awareness of the numerous benefits of eating local and organic has grown. Getting a CSA box doesn’t just provide the best local produce of the season, it also supports the local farmer, keeping the community thriving. If you’ve ever been part of a CSA box program, or looked into it, you may have found that there is a bit more to it than just buying your local produce. Daily Harvest Express is not a CSA box program, we provide farm boxes. Farm boxes also provide local organic produce and support farmers, and have more options than a CSA box. Let’s take a look at the differences.
Commitment
CSA – When you sign up for a CSA box, you are committing for the season, so the farmer has an idea of the profits from the beginning. However, when you commit, there is no guarantee for what will grow, what produce you may end up with, or what the season has in store.
DHE – When you order your farm box from Daily Harvest Express, you can sign up weekly, bi-weekly, or even one time. You have complete control of your account online, and you can cancel anytime. You can also add snacks, pantry items, eggs cheese & butter, bread, meat, and extra pounds of the best produce of the season anytime you like. Order by Friday and get your box the next week.
Payment
CSA – Signing up for a CSA box means that you are paying for a share of the produce upfront. Farmers take payment at the beginning of the season. This supports the farmer so they can go on taking care of the crops for the season. As a consumer, you are totally relying on the farm, and you have already paid before you have any idea of how you will like your fruits and veggies each week.
DHE – No matter which option you choose with your farm box, you pay as you go. Daily Harvest Express does not require any upfront fees of any kind. You only pay for what is coming in your box next week.
Farms
CSA – A CSA box typically supports one farm, so you are dependent on that single farm for all of your produce. The farm does get your support, and the farmer works hard on providing quality fruits and vegetables, but if something doesn’t go right, due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, there isn’t really a backup. For example, you may be counting on sweet California strawberries and end up not getting any due to crop or farm issues.
DHE – What sets Daily Harvest Express apart is that we get our produce from many local organic farms throughout San Diego County. This way you get the best fruit and vegetables that the county has every season. We won’t run low or run out, and since we work with local farmers, you still support them when you buy your farm box. Plus, you get the tastiest variety each week!
Delivery
CSA – Many CSA box programs are set up that you go to the farm and pick up your box. You get to see where your food comes from, but it is up to you get your box.
DHE – Daily Harvest Express has delivery trucks that bring your farm box right to your door, the same day each week. You get an email letting you know when to expect your box. (we deliver contactless for your safety)
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- Stehly Farm
The mission of supporting local farms, and providing the freshest produce to you is why we started Daily Harvest Express, and why we continue to be the connection between the community and the local farms. It has been so well before Covid, and will be long after it’s over.