As our market is open year round, our variety of veggie vendors bring a bounty of colorful crops long into the winter months. Do not think that simply because foliage turns to bare branches that the fields grow cold. The genus “Brassica” is abundant with cool weather crops like cabbage, kale, broccoli, mustards, collards and arugula. Crabtree Farms grows them all.

Crabtree Farms, one of our original vendors since 2010, provides as much nutritious vegetation as they provide food for thought. Crabtree Farms is a non-profit, educational farm located just minutes from downtown. Geared towards promoting sustainable agriculture, Crabtree hosts field trips, volunteer hours, workshops and events that leave any participant eager to return for work and play.

Crabtree has two CSAs every year, a full season and a winter season. This year was the first time they gave the option of a Flex Box, where you can choose to have a CSA just a few times instead of committing to a weekly or biweekly, season long option. As their spring CSA has a few weeks left (11/20), you can slide in a few boxes before they start the winter CSA the Tuesday before Thanksgiving (11/22).

The winter CSA, although available in cooler temperatures, is filled with warm colors like orange carrots and dark red beets. Your holiday table will never look so spectacular than it will with locally sourced, much loved ingredients. Speak with farmer Courtney when you stop by their booth.

Side note: I have been a workshare at Crabtree for four years and began my farm, Feathers & Fruit, because of the education and inspiration I received in my first season. My volunteer time there has made me an expert at growing community. Help them grow by donating your time or you can donate to their organization here.