Austin Farmhouse Delivery: An Upscale Twist on Farm-Fresh Groceries

Every foodie dreams of eating fresh produce straight from the local farmer’s market.  Sometimes, however, our busy schedules prevent us from shopping at these markets. Luckily for residents of central Austin, community supported agriculture (CSA) programs can deliver farm-fresh produce straight to Austin homes.

West Austin resident Elizabeth Winslow has improved upon the traditional CSA model, giving the service an upscale touch. As a discerning chef, Winslow understands Austinites shouldn’t have to sacrifice selection when making an effort to support Austin businesses and eat locally.  Winslow’s CSA service, Farmhouse Delivery, allows patrons to customize produce selection and even add artisan foods (like preserves and pizzas) to their orders.

Winslow and her business partner hand-select the best fruits and vegetables from farms surrounding Austin. Much of her produce comes from Rain Lilly farm in south Austin. Here, Farmhouse co-founder Stephanie Scherzer has earned quite a reputation for her succulent, bio-intensively grown Heirloom tomatoes and for being an aficionado on raising chickens. (Many residents of central Austin have taken to raising their own chickens, which is welcome in many areas of the city, and frequently consult Scherzer.)

When you sign up for Farmhouse Delivery’s service, the company will deliver a box of vegetables to your business or residence. Patrons receive a box of produce weekly or bi-weekly, and its contents feed about 1-2 people. Memberships are very reasonably priced; each box costs less than $40. Considering the time, energy, and gasoline saved with home delivery, CSA services are commensurate to the cost of grocery store produce. Subscribers also have the option of adding fresh eggs, chickens, and even grass-fed beef when available. When taking road trips, Winslow says she always packs a few of the stone-baked artisanal pizzas that are available through Farmhouse – they’re a hit with her children, and meet her “locavore” criteria.

Farmhouse makes sure its members make the most of their subscriptions in a number of ways. They’ll always include recipes that incorporate the produce in the order and a list of a way to store vegetables to ensure maximum shelf life.  Winslow also keeps a blog that posts sumptuous seasonal recipes nearly every week.

Of course, Austin is full of CSA programs that deliver to various parts of the city. You may want to find out which CSA serves your area when you’re starting Austin home search. Some Other CSAs to consider are: Johnson’s Backyard Garden, Tecolate Farms, Urban Roots, and Greenling.