Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a model of local food distribution where growers and consumers share the risks and benefits of local food production. Veggie Box is a multi-farm CSA meaning we source from a variety of farms each week instead of a singular operation. The CSA model helps keep sustainable farming a viable way of life for small-scale farms that are increasingly threatened by large-scale agribusiness. For members, this model provides a way to financially support local food production and economies while enjoying the benefits of seasonal, sustainable, and healthy eating.

Seasonal eating refers to eating produce that is in-season in a particular location and has a number of benefits including sustainability, supporting the local economy and small farms, and produce with fresher taste and better flavor. Michigan’s longer and colder winters mean that our growing season is significantly different from other regions in the United States (and beyond) limiting both what can be grown and when it is ready to eat. Part of seasonal eating recognizes that produce like tomatoes are not available year-round, but when they’re in-season we revel in the bounty and do what we can to preserve them for the future.

All produce and add-ons are sourced from farms and businesses within a 50 mile radius of Lansing. Every ‘What’s in the Box’ email and printed newsletter have the names of the farm or business that each product is from and where they are located. You can also view where farms and producers are located on this map here.

All of the farms that provide for Veggie Box practice sustainable agriculture. While many of the farms we purchase from are certified organic, it is not a requirement to sell to Veggie Box. Organic certification may not be pursued by small farms due to inaccessibility and cost. If you would like to learn more about the farms that supply Veggie Box including growing practices, the weekly What’s in the Box email has links to the farms that supplied that week’s box.

Unfortunately, no. The growing season is unpredictable and farmers are not able to guarantee that certain crops will be ready by a certain date. 

The type of produce we distribute depends on the season but you can be assured of a wide variety: in 2022, Veggie Box distributed over 125 types of produce and each season included 39 to 44 types. For a general guide on what produce is in season in Michigan, click here. 

This masterlist has information on every variety of produce Veggie Box has distributed in the past including information on how it can be stored, preserved, and more. Information on general storage and preservation techniques such as blanching and flash freezing are also included. You can also search this website of past Veggie Box recipes to find recipes by a specific ingredient. 

Add-ons cannot be purchased without a Veggie Box subscription. Available add-ons include beans, bread, cheese, chevre, coffee, eggs, honey, kombucha, maple syrup, meat variety, beef, chicken, pork, and tea.

We are unable to accommodate requests for specific types of meat in the meat variety add-on.

We are unable to accommodate requests for specific cuts in any meat add-on (meat variety, beef, chicken, pork).

Pick-up is from 12-6pm on Tuesday or Thursday depending on what day you signed up for. We are unable to give out Veggie Boxes earlier/later as we pack them the morning of and staff are unable to stay past 6pm. 

Veggie Box pick up is inside the Allen Market Place. Parking is available in the ANC parking lot off of Shepard St or street parking on Kalamazoo St. The Allen Marketplace can be accessed from the side door next to the mural (see image above) or through the large double doors on the other side of the parking lot.

Please pick up your veggie box during the allotted day from 12-6pm. Remember you can send anybody to pick up your box for you as long as they have your name. Boxes are packed the same morning so we are unable to give them out before 12pm and staff are unable to stay after 6pm. Our schedules change throughout the week so please do not come on a different day to pick up your box.

We can hold boxes for one week as long as you let us know. However we have limited space in our walk-in refrigerator so we would greatly appreciate it if you plan in advance for somebody else to pick up your box! You can also donate your box–just let us know in advance and we will distribute the contents at ANC’s Breadbasket Food Pantry the following Monday. 

Please bring your box back each week. You can also bring your own bags and unpack your box on-site so it can be returned immediately. Because the boxes are reusable (and expensive!) please don’t throw them away!

Yes! All newsletters are uploaded online here (you can even access previous seasons). The newsletter link can also be found at the bottom of every newsletter and in the weekly ‘What’s in the Box’ email. 

Yes! All recipes from veggie box newsletters can be found on this website which is updated by staff weekly. and you can also search by ingredient if the recipes that week don’t strike your fancy. 

Unfortunately, no. Newsletters are generally written the afternoon before distribution after the ‘What’s in the Box’ email is sent out. This is because staff must prioritize getting the boxes ready for distribution which includes weighing and bagging produce, labeling and bagging add-ons, etc.

All Veggie Box members can request to join the Veggie Box Facebook group here to share ideas and recipes, ask for guidance on preparation, share relevant articles and events, and generally get to know one another. The Facebook group is a more informal space where Veggie Box staff and members can share pictures and videos from behind the scenes and links to various resources. We also organize several community events throughout the year such as potlucks and garden/farm tours which you can hear about through the Facebook page and ‘What’s in the Box’ email.