Victory Farms offers shares in the farm

Soon it’ll be spring and veggies will be right around the corner.

January 19, 2015; 9:42 AM • by Richard Hayes

For those that what to get their fresh veggies straight from the farm.

The 2015 farm season will bring more opportunities for Richmonders to join Victory Farms’ Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. “With an additional acre and a half added to our 4 acres of veggies, greens, herbs, and fruits,” says farmer Charlie Collins, “we will have even more of the high quality, fresh, local, and unconventional produce that our customers depend on.”

The CSA is a membership in the farm that gives the farmer money upfront to buy seed, materials, and equipment during the preparations for the new season. Members of the Victory CSA debit their $350 or $500 share down as they go, choosing what they want and which markets they attend. “Rather than giving our customers a bag or box of our selection,” says co-owner and business manager, Gina Collins, “we offer our CSA members tables full of a wide variety of seasonal produce with certain specialty items and bulk buying opportunities specifically for our pre-paid members.”

Nominated for Purveyor of the Year at the year’s Elby’s, Victory is also recognized for providing a wide variety of high quality produce to local chefs and specialty grocers. With over 20 years in the field, their experience provides customers with confidence in a season full of over 200 varieties of vegetables, fruits, and herbs – both the pantry staples as well as heirloom and international specialties. Selections include great greens like salad, spinach, arugula, kales, chard, chicories, mustard and Asian greens; root veggies like beets, carrots, turnips, rutabagas, radishes, onions, potatoes, and sweet potatoes; summer fruits like tomatoes, melons, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers; and all-time favorites such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, green beans, and more. They also offer pasture raised beef and eggs from collaborative farms in Hanover. Victory Farms specializes in custom compost derived from these operations.

Anyone interested in joining for 2015 can fill out an online application at www.VictoryFarmsInc.com and make their payments in increments or completely up front. CSA members receive 10% off all year long, a particularly welcome benefit as Victory is known for great prices as well.

Victory distributes to its CSA members at a central Farmstand in the Forest Hill Park neighborhood on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings and, new for this season, at a Farmstand at the farm. Located on Osborne Turnpike in Varina, a mere 4.5 miles from downtown, the on-farm pickup site will allow customers to see their food growing, spend a little time wandering the fields, and maybe bring a picnic lunch as well. Special events and the chance to rent the farm for meetings or small events will also be an added features in 2015.

Photo by: Victory Farms