Winter CSA Shares Available!

Read on for full details on Winter and Pantry CSA Shares! These run November through February (Pantry) or March (Winter), with pick up at the farm store, rural Madelia.

There are currently 3 Winter and 9 Pantry Shares available! Winter features our winter greens. Add on items will be available for purchase at the farm store at pick up (eggs, greens, etc.).

Winter CSA

Here are the details…

•What’s in the Share: This share features greens from our passive solar winter greenhouse, alongside storage crops and canned goods.

Apples, applesauce, apple butter, apple rings, baking apples, acorn squash, butternut squash, garlic, onions, beets, carrots, pea shoots, microgreens and salad greens.

•Cost: $285  -  please pay in full at the time of reservation, or make a deposit of $185, with $100 due by first box. Payment by cash, check or Venmo.

•Pick Up: Shooting to start Wednesday, November 20—the first of 7 pick ups. Pick up will be at the Farm Store, Wednesdays from 4:00-7:00 pm. Pick up will be every 2-3 weeks, approximately. This all depends on the growth of the salad greens. Flexibility is a must. Boxes in Nov./Dec./Jan.x2/Febx2/Mar.

Pantry CSA

Here are the details…

•What’s in the Share: This share features our organic storage crops and canned items.
Apples, applesauce, apple butter, apple rings, acorn squash, butternut squash, garlic, onions, potatoes, beets, carrots.

•Cost: $95  -  please pay in full at the time of reservation, or make a deposit of $65, with $30 due by first box. Payment by cash, check or Venmo.

•Pick Up: Shooting to start Wednesday, November 20—the first of 4 pick ups. Pick up will be at the Farm Store, Wednesdays from 4:00-7:00 pm. Pick up will be once per month, approximately. Flexibility is a must, as we will line up with Winter CSA pick up as we are able (some folks do both). Boxes in Nov./Dec./Jan./Feb.

Reservation

Please email info@alternativerootsfarm.com or text 507-412-7605, to reserve your share and make sure there is one available. Then I will give you the sign up link.

Pick Up

Pick up of shares will be at the Farm Store - 11197 130th St. Madelia, MN 56062 - 23 miles West of Mankato, 12 miles South of New Ulm, 8 miles North of Madelia.
   •Wednesdays 4:00-7:00 pm
   •Thursdays 4:00-7:00 pm
   •Fridays 9:00 am-12:00pm

Notes

•Some folks to decide to get both shares.

•Other Items: When picking up at the Farm Store there will be other items you can add on to your share—eggs, raw apple cider, greens, etc. As pick up approaches we will offer reservation on eggs.

•Weather: In case of winter weather we may postpone pick up, or change the day that week.

•Your investment in a Pantry CSA Share gets you a discount on all these items and the best of our storage produce!

NEW Apple Shares Available!

NEW Weekly or One-Time Pick Up options!!

Direct questions to info@alternativerootsfarm.com

Weekly Options 

ORDER HERE

Late Fall Apple Share  

4lb bag each week for 4 weeks  |  $36
Pick up at the farm store Wed or Th 4-7 pm, Fri 9-12 weekly (Oct. 30-Nov. 20)

Apple Lovers Weekly

3lb bag of apples each week + apple products  | $55
(apple butter x 1, apple cider x 2, apple rings x 2, applesauce x 1)
Pick up at the farm store Wed or Th 4-7 pm, Fri 9-12 weekly (Oct. 30-Nov. 20)

One Time Pick Up Options

Select the dates below or make an appointment. Don't want to come out weekly? Grab some apples to stock up for fresh eating, or for cooking, etc. Or, grab an Apple Lovers Share to get apples and apple products!

ORDER HERE

Winter Apple Share

10lb  |  $22
20lb  |  $40
Larger quantities may be ordered for $2/lb.

A mix of late-season storage apples that keep well for longer periods. Or we can stock you up on tart Haralsons for baking, etc.

Apple Lovers Share

A box with 4# bag of apples, 2 apple butter, 2 applesauce, apple rings.  $30

Dates For One Time Pick Ups

Saturday, October 26 :: last summer Mankato Farmers Market 8:00-12:00, Best Buy Lot
Wednesday, October 30 :: 4:00-7:00 pick up at the Farm (Fall CSA pick up day)
Saturday, November 9 :: 10:00-12:00 Winter Mankato Farmers Market, Drummers Garden Center
Wednesday, November 20 :: 4:00-7:00 pick up at the Farm (Thanksgiving Share)

More dates will be added as we go on, or make an appt!

Fall CSA Shares Available

Fall CSA Options   ::   Online Order Form

“Going to Alternative Roots Farm to pick up our Fall Share is something we really look forward to. It’s fun to see the animals! The vegetables are great and beautifully displayed. Heading out to the farm makes us “town folks” feel like we are part of the harvest season.” -Yvonne & Lee, CSA members

It’s that time of year again! Join us for our fourth season of Fall CSA. Enjoy the bounty of the season, fresh from the farm. This year our Fall Shares focus on the basics and best of the apple season.

In the past we have had a larger Full size, and a Mini Share; this year there is one more medium sized Fall Share and a new Apple Lovers Share. Join us for our Fall CSA, or swing by the Farm Store!

Fall CSA Shares are picked up at the farm between 4:00-7:00 pm on the dates specified.

Shares are done “market style” where you bag up your items—please bring your own container(s).


Wednesday, October 2  |  Hunter’s Moon Share  |  $45
Apples—fresh eating and baking, apple butter, applesauce, apple rings, acorn squash, butternut squash, garlic, onions, pea shoots, potatoes, kale/chard. Add on items will be available in the farm store.

Wednesday, October 30  |  Snow Moon Share  |  $45
Apples—fresh eating and baking, apple butter, applesauce, apple rings, acorn squash, butternut squash, garlic, onions, pea shoots/microgreens, kale/chard, potatoes. Add on items will be available in the farm store.

All items subject to availability, items may change based on abundance, or availability of other produce.

Apple Lovers Share  |  $30
Apples 4# bag, 2 apple butter, 2 applesauce, apple rings.

     Available Oct. 2 and 30, along with Fall CSA, or anytime in October by preorder appointment!

Online Order Form

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Apple Season Update 9/17

Now Available: 
Zestar!, Paula Red, Honeycrisp, Honeygold, Haralson, Cortland, Sweet Sixteen, McIntosh and Mystery apples. 

Apples are available at our Farm Store, at the Saturday Mankato Farmers Market and by contacting us directly and at the New Ulm Community Market.

Contact us at info@alternativerootsfarm.com - Sign up for our newsletter for updates!

Worth Reading: "Ugly fruit may pack more nutrition"

Worth repeating. From the article "Ugly fruit may pack more nutrition" - those blemishes on your apples may provide more antioxidants and sugars.

“In an unofficial experiment, Greenman tested scabbed and unscabbed Parma apples...scarred apples had a 2 to 5 percent higher sugar content than unmarred apples from the same tree. More sugar means a higher alcohol content once fermented, producing a tastier hard cider.

But she loves these ugly apples for another reason: They may be more nutritious and have a higher antioxidant content.”

----> When we demand perfect looking, uniform, shippable and shelf-stable foods oftentimes this comes at the cost of less nutritious produce and more food waste. Also, the loss of genetic diversity. Real food has variation, imperfections...and sometimes it's ugly.

“We already suspect this is the case with organic fruits and vegetables. A 2014 review of 343 studies found that organic produce had lower pesticide residue and a 20 to 40 percent higher antioxidant content than conventional produce. Those antioxidants include compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, anthocyanins and carotenoids, all produced by plants as defense mechanisms when they are stressed by pests.”

----> When it comes to organic apples you know you're getting a more nutritious product, because conventional apples are one of the most highly sprayed and contaminated foods, ranked high on the Dirty Dozen list.

“One study showed that an apple covered in scab has more healthy, antioxidant phenolic compounds, called phenylpropanoids, than a scab-free apple peel. Another study showed that apple leaves infected with scab have 10 to 20 percent more phenolic compounds.”

FULL ARTICLE: Ugly fruit may pack more nutrition MPR, April 27, 2016

Apples :: Honeygold

Late Season • Sweet

Ripens

Late September-Early October

Characteristics

A high quality apple that is crisp, juicy and sweet with a honey-like flavor. The apple is golden to yellow-green, with a reddish-bronze blush. Honeygold is great for fresh eating and cooking - it makes a no-sugar apple pie. Exceptional storage qualities.

History

Developed by the University of Minnesota as a Northern alternative to Golden Delicious. Introduced in 1970.

Parentage: Golden Delicious x Haralson.

Storage

Keeps 3-4 months, exceptional storage qualities.

Notes
Bruises very easily. A very winter hardy variety, said to be hardy to -50°.

Fresh Raw Cider Available!

NEW this season - fresh pressed, raw apple cider! Made with our organically grown apples. 

If you have never had fresh cider you will be amazed at the flavor and refreshing quality. (Processed apple juice is much different.) Crisp and clean tasting, it is a fall treat!

Available in half gallons for $7.00 - only at the Farm Store. More store info.

We press every 2-3 weeks and will post on facebook if we are out/back in stock, or contact us directly - info@alternativerootsfarm.com or text Brooke at 507-412-7605.