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Over 27 million acres, or roughly 75 percent of the Prairie State’s total land area, are devoted to agriculture in Illinois. There are several opportunities to purchase local farmers’ fresh goods in and around Chicago, including beef, eggs, and other items. An increasingly well-liked method for doing that is community-supported agriculture (CSA).
In accordance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, CSAs (sometimes referred to as “farm shares”) are made up of “a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community’s farm.”
The process is as follows: after paying the farmer a certain amount, the customer receives a portion of the farmer’s produce each week or month. The majority of those items arrive in a box or bag and can be picked up at a predetermined location or delivered right to your house.
Different CSAs provide various services. Produce is most prevalent and includes fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Fresh meat, eggs, and other pantry essentials like honey or even flowers are available from various farms. As a result, there is a large range in pricing. While some need one sizable upfront payment for the full season, others offer payment options. Some CSAs also take EBT.
Just a few of the CSAs that serve the Chicago region are listed here. A few crucial points: the quoted prices may not be accurate and change depending on the season. Since we initially put together this list, some CSAs could now be at capacity, so always check with the producer first for availability, cost, and delivery choices.
Location: Caledonia, Illinois
Products: Vegetables and herbs
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-up at more than 40 Chicagoland locations, or delivery for an added fee
Frequency: Weekly or bi-weekly
Cost: $450-$900, depending on size of share
Good for: People who want to customize their orders
Location: Ottawa, Illinois
Products: Meat, including chicken, pork, beef, eggs, and more
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-ups offered in Blue Island; Evanston; Naperville; Oak Park; Ottawa (on the farm by appointment); Chicago: Lincoln Square, Logan Square, Ravenswood, West Loop
Frequency: Monthly
Cost: Varies by type of membership.
Good for: Meat-eaters
Location: Humboldt Park
Products: Vegetables and herbs
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-up twice a week at 2825 W. Chicago Ave.
Frequency: Weekly, from May to October
Cost: $666–$1,999 for a subscription, depending on size of share
Good for: Chicago residents (especially those living close to Humboldt Park)
Location: Niles, Illinois
Products: Fruit, vegetables, and flowers
Pick-Up or Delivery: Delivery or pick-up
Frequency: Weekly or twice a month, or as-needed
Cost: $25-99 per box, with options for a-la-carte grocery delivery
Good for: Flexibility for recurring orders or a-la-carte items
Location: Monee, Illinois
Products: Vegetables and greens
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-up at farmer’s market locations, with delivery available in Monee, Illinois
Frequency: Weekly, from May to October
Cost: $375-$750, depending on size of share
Good for: People in the southern suburbs
Location: Spring Prairie, Wisconsin
Products: Vegetables
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-ups offered in Buffalo Grove, Logan Square, Spring Prairie, Evanston, Oak Park, and Palatine
Frequency: Weekly, for 20 weeks, with option for a 27-week season
Cost: $680–$1,405, depending on size and duration of share.
Good for: Veggie enthusiasts
Location: Chicago
Products: Fruits, vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-up
Frequency: Weekly or twice a month, May to November
Cost: $25-$30 per week, depending on size of share. One-time payments available.
Good for: Smaller households, or people who want to pay with EBT
Location: Mineral Point, Wisconsin
Products: Vegetables
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-up and delivery to select Chicago neighborhoods
Frequency: Weekly
Cost: $94-$840
Good for: People who want to try out a CSA for the first time
Location: Cabery, Illinois
Products: Grass-fed meats
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-up, with delivery available in Chicago, Evanston, and Oak Park
Frequency: Weekly or Monthly
Cost: Varies by type of share. A weekly delivery starts at $66 every 4 weeks.
Good for: People looking for meat delivery available year-round.
Location: Marengo, Illinois
Products: Fruit and vegetables
Pick-Up or Delivery: Delivery for an additional weekly fee, or pick-up at dozens of locations
Frequency: Weekly, for 22 weeks a year (fall share also available)
Cost: $748-$1,650
Good for: Fruit enthusiasts
Location: Richmond, IL
Products: Fresh vegetables, fruit, dairy, and flowers
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-ups in Ravenswood, Morton Grove, and Richmond
Frequency: Weekly or Monthly
Cost: Varies by type of membership
Good for: Ravenswood residents, healthy eaters, families
Location: Elburn, Illinois
Products: Produce and eggs
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-up at farmers markets
Frequency: Weekly, for 20 weeks a year
Cost: $375-$675, depending on size of share
Good for: An individual looking for a farm share
Location: Lockport, Illinois
Products: Leafy greens, lettuces, and herbs
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-up at various locations in Lockport and delivery available
Frequency: Weekly, for 13 weeks
Cost: $117-$260 for 13 deliveries, cost varies by size and type of box
Good for: People in search of unique greens
Location: Back of the Yards
Products: Eggs, bread, and produce
Pick-Up or Delivery: Delivery
Frequency: One-time, weekly, twice a month
Cost: Varies by membership, with weekly deliveries starting at $200 per month
Good for: People who want to try out a CSA for the first time with no commitment
Location: Skokie
Products: Vegetables and Eggs
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-up at Andersonville Farmers Market in Chicago and Three Tarts Bakery & Cafe in Northfield
Frequency: Weekly
Cost: $70-$350
Good for: People in search of an egg-only share
Location: Brooklyn, Wisconsin
Products: Vegetables, with add-on options like coffee, eggs, cheese, baked goods, butter, and more
Pick-Up or Delivery: Delivery on Wednesdays-Saturdays, depending on the delivery zone
Frequency: Weekly
Cost: $16-$54, not including delivery fees
Good for: People who want to customize their boxes and pay as they go
Location: Multiple farms on the South Side of Chicago
Products: Leafy greens, vegetables, and seasonal fruit
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-up or delivery for a fee
Frequency: Weekly, April through November
Cost: $90-$800, depending on season, duration of delivery, and size of share
Good for: People who want options for the spring, early summer, late summer, fall, and early winter seasons.
Location: Richmond, Illinois
Products: Vegetables and herbs
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-ups in Lincoln Square, Logan Square, or Richmond
Frequency: Weekly or biweekly
Cost: $75-$760
Good for: People who want to support a women-owned farm
