Get your slow food fast – New CSAs and farm delivery services get consumers fresh food faster.

The eat-local movement continues to gain traction in Baton Rouge, with the 17-year-old Red Stick Farmers Market drawing new patrons every weekend and a growing number of restaurant chefs buying ingredients directly from regional farmers and producers. But that’s not all. A new wave of entrepreneurs, including some farmers, are getting their goods into the hands of hungry consumers through membership, or consumer supported agriculture (CSA), programs and home delivery services. Imagine it—fresh local produce, small batch cheeses, humanely raised meats and more dropped off at your doorstep. It’s more convenient than ever for food lovers to access the seasonal and artisanal items they crave. Here’s a guide to the most popular fresh food delivery services in Baton Rouge.

Founders Lauren Slowik and Kallie Svendson recruited a long list of farmers and producers from whom they source seasonal fruits and vegetables and other items. They combine nine to 11 produce selections into a seasonal “bundle” and deliver it to your home every week or every other week for a set fee. A one-time, nonrefundable $35 fee pays for the plastic crate in which the items are delivered and the frozen water bottles that keep them cool. You can pay extra for the lush variety of add-ons. They include free range eggs, meats, breads, jams, dairy products, homemade hummus and other goods made by local vendors. During Carnival time, the partners sourced king cakes from the high-end New Orleans sweet shop, Sucre. You can even order locally made green cleaning products.

Details:
$35 one-time membership fee for all orders
$37 per delivery for weekly produce bundles
$39 per delivery for biweekly produce bundles
$25 minimum order for specialty items only (meats, dairy, etc)
countrytabledelivery.com

Keeping convenience front and center, Indie Plate functions like amazon.com meets local food. Founder and gastronome Peru Sharma says he couldn’t always make it to the Red Stick Farmers Market, so he started a business that makes it possible for consumers to access the local items they love simply by clicking. Indie Plate’s website features a growing list of local produce, breads, meats, dairy items, jams, jellies, granola bars and more listed item by item. Order only what you want in amounts you will use. Items are delivered within the week straight to your home with no minimum orders or membership fees. Consumers earn points for every dollar spent toward future expenditures.

Details:
Place an order at indieplate.com.

This farm north of Baton Rouge turns out stunning, carefully tended produce, herbs and flowers for its CSA members each season. Its small scale and popularity mean that Port Hudson Organics usually has a waiting list to join its traditional CSA, but if you can land a spot, you’ll be joining a tight-knit group of members who often cross paths at the farm’s occasional work days. Volunteering at the farm is a requirement for membership so that owners Will and Thais Perkins can get a hand with harvesting, composting and planting. It’s a soulful way to spend a day and the payoff is satisfying.

Details:
CSA membership is $350 for nine weeks of fresh produce and flowers of your choice. Members view a list of available items each week, then choose seven vegetables and two herbs.
porthudsonorganicscsa.blogspot.com
[email protected]

This farm in the Baton Rouge area raises grass-fed beef, pastured pork and free range eggs. You can buy Hollywood Farms’ wares at local grocers, such as Alexander’s Highland Market, or become a member and sign up for online orders. Members’ orders are delivered at various stops around Baton Rouge and New Orleans, including several health clubs and CrossFit gyms. Hollywood Livestock provides a pasture-based forage environment allowing livestock to be raised as naturally as possible, without the use of hormones and antibiotics, ever. The farm has participated in Slow Foods’ annual Dinner in the Field farm to table fundraiser.

Details:
Fees depend on order
[email protected]

Luckett Farms is a family-run operation in Central and Pride that currently sells its fresh produce from the farm and at the Central and Zachary farmers markets and the Big River Economic and Agricultural Development Alliance (BREADA) Mobile Market. Farmer Derek Luckett went back to school to study horticulture at LSU in order to perfect operations at the farm and follow his passion. He runs it with his wife and two young children who are all passionate about close-to-the-source foods. CSA members pick up a box of produce each week during each season at set drop-off locations in Baton Rouge, Central, Zachary, Watson, Walker or at the farm itself in Central. Luckett also offers home delivery for an extra fee to certain locations.

Details:
Rate covers a 12-week period
$300 per regular share
$444 per large share
$180 per senior share
[email protected]