LOCAL HARVEST CSA (COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE)
Located at Sundog Farm
Local Harvest CSA is located at Sundog Farm, which is situated between Solon and Mt. Vernon, and was founded 27 years ago. The Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) business produces fresh, healthy food, including herbs, vegetables, fruit, sheep and chickens for Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Solon and surrounding communities. CSA plants, harvests and packs weekly vegetable boxes for more than 200 families from May through December, and collaborates with other local farms and businesses to give consumers increased access to products. The CSA business strives to eliminate some of the produce access barriers. CSA accepts SNAP benefits and offers various payment and delivery options.
Local Harvest CSA’s Choose Iowa grant project will establish an on-farm kitchen to extend its production season and expand its markets of its fruit and vegetable products. CSA plans to offer frozen vegetables and dehydrated herbs through the winter, adding value to its produce and broadening its reach to additional consumers.
Local Harvest CSA expects to increase annual sales by $20,000 as well as its year-round offerings to the community. The project will also strengthen Local Harvest’s ability to support more local farms and businesses as well as its position as a stable and safe Iowa food source. Additionally, Local Harvest CSA hopes the project will help to increase job opportunities in the area. This project will help Local Harvest CSA realize its ongoing goal of providing a consistent and delicious product to the local and surrounding communities.
