Hellgate CSA will return for the 2007 season with the first distribution of the season on Tuesday June 5th. Farmer Bill of Green Thumb Farm is still our man for the vegetables and he'll be delivering for us through the end of November with Tuesday November 27th as a final veggie distribution of the season. We will continue to distribute on the sidewalk in front of the Freeze Peach Cafe Tuesday afternoon/evenings.

The size of the share may be increasing just a little bit as may the cost (estimated, $2/per week or $50 per season) to allow for slightly more weekly variety and larger portions of our favorite things (tomato!). There will be a slight raise in the administrative cost as we'll be purchasing some additional supplies (tables, bins) as we outgrew those we had AND we are adding some additional products.

We will offer the tomato share.

We will not be offering flowers (sad yes, but they were too delicate for the sidewalk) and Farmer Bill is not, at this time, offering Green Thumb Farm Honey (other honey options are available through meat/dairy vendor).

Up and ready to go

We have teamed up with Lewis Waites Farm and www.csapasturedmeatandpoultry.com for additional CSA goods (effective immediately) and all 2006 season members are invited to place monthly orders through this farm for meat/produce (beef, bread, eggs, cheese, pork, chicken, honey, syrup, etc) delivered monthly. Yum!

Still in the works

We are looking into a fruit farmer for next season but haven't solidly nailed that one down yet.

What we need you to know

Registration for the 2007 Hellgate season is not available yet. Why? As stated above, we are finalizing some details and finalizing our product/produce list. We are also working with some folks who are developing software to automate some of the CSA administrative functions like invoicing, volunteer reminders, and sign ups. Waiting for automate software means a smoother, easier CSA season and we like to keep it easy.

We will begin processing sign ups (like mad!) May 1st so expect to hear from us in early May with an official invitation to join. A general membership meeting and Q&A with Farmer Bill is tentatively scheduled for May 1st at the Freeze Peach -- time TBD.

When we open up for general membership sign ups, we will let Hellgate 2006 Season Members sign up first and immediately following that sign up period, extend the sign up invitation to our waiting list. Our membership is limited to 100 and we have a waiting list so we'll be prioritizing sign ups. First returning members, then pulling from the waitlist, and finally opening up to the general public.

If you have friends that you know need to be a part of the Hellgate CSA that are not yet on the waiting list, it's a good time to send them a gentle reminder. Prospective new members (your friends, family, and neighbors) need to get on the waiting list to get in on the action for 2007. E-mail info@hellgatecsa.com to get on the waiting list.