Cleveland Crops
The Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities' kitchen pairs kale chips, fruit snacks, spaghetti sauce and a variety of salsas along with produce from 10 urban farms and more than 60 acres of farmland throughout the county. "Rather than just getting a package of vegetables, you get other ingredients," says executive director Rich Hoban.
$320 half share, $540 full share. Stanard Farm, 5342 Stanard Ave., Cleveland, 216-310-9843, clevelandcrops.org
Fresh Fork Market
This CSA works with more than 100 farmers throughout Northeast Ohio and offers three dietary plans to accommodate everyone, whether you eat meat or are strictly vegan. "I always start with what I call a center-of-the-plate concept, like chicken, and then I'm going to give you things that match like carrots, potatoes, onions and some collard greens," says founder Trevor Clatterbuck.
$550 small share, $880 large share. Various locations throughout Cleveland, 800-861-8582, freshforkmarket.com
Geauga Family Farms
A collective of 10 certified organic farmers — eight of which are run by Amish families — this CSA also provides homegrown products such as maple syrup, honey and jam. "These family operations started the CSA program because they wanted a way to be able to stay home with their families rather than having to leave the farms every day," says farm representative Laura Dobson.
$300 small share, $450 medium share, $750 large share. Various locations, 440-478-9849, geaugafamilyfarms.org
Rising Harvest Farms
With a flock of 125 free-range chickens in the city of Cleveland, this CSA includes eggs every other week and runs a co-op with Miller Organic Produce to provide a variety of cheeses once a month. "We cut out the middle man," says farm manager Michael Bartunek. "With us, we harvest on Thursday and you get it on Friday."
$570 half share, $1,140 full share. 4103 Memphis Ave., Cleveland, 216-965-8957, risingharvestfarms.org
SowFood
If you like the idea of fresh produce but aren't quite sure what to do with it, SowFood creates meals such as chicken paprikash out of fresh, locally grown items. "It's basically from farm-to-oven," says founder Brian Doyle. "We stick to very simple, rustic, homestyle meals that your grandma might cook."
$115 for four-week monthly trial, $1,600 for 16 weeks. 4640 RIchmond Road, Suite 200, Warrensville Heights, 440-622-5071, sowfood.com
