Boise Idaho CSA Review
I love supporting local growers at weekend farmers markets in Boise, but I don’t make it out to the market every weekend. (If you’re looking for a local market with fresh produce and other edible goods, I recommend the Boise Farmers Market!) I also rarely carry cash, so it makes it difficult to shop with our local refugee farmers when I do get out to the market.
Enter: CSAs! The CSA acronym stands for community-supported agriculture, and it’s a subscription service that provides upfront monetary support to your favorite growers. In return, you’ll regularly receive in-season produce throughout the entire growing season.
After a few years of wanting to purchase a CSA (but worrying about being gone too many weeks during the summer due to travel), I finally took the leap two years ago—and I’m back for year three this year! Below, I shared an honest review of our Boise Idaho CSA, including how much it costs, how it works when you travel, if it’s worth it, and a list of other CSA options to consider in and around Boise.
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Boise Idaho CSA Review
If you're looking for a CSA recommendation in Boise, Idaho, this post is for you! I shared what a CSA is, reviewed the CSA program we’ve been a part of for three years, shared the cost of a CSA, mentioned what to do when you go out of town, answered if a CSA is worth it, and rounded up a list of other CSA programs to consider in the Boise area. Let’s dive in!
What is a CSA?
At the start of the post, I shared that CSA stands for community-supported agriculture. What that means is you purchase either a half share or a full share (basically a “piece” of the grower’s crop) for the growing season (here in Boise, it ranges from about late May/early June to late September/early October). In return, you receive a bundle of whatever produce is in season for that week.
CSAs are generally made up of vegetables, but depending on where you are in the world and what type of items the grower produces, CSAs can also include fruits, meats, herbs, flowers, etc.
Global Gardens CSA Review
I first signed up for the Global Gardens CSA for Korri and myself in 2024. I opted for the half share, which I picked up every week during the season. Unlike other programs, the Global Gardens half share is picked up weekly but doesn’t include as many items as the full share. (The full share is recommended for larger families.)
I was not anticipating to receive as much produce as we did! The amount of produce and the quality of the produce was amazing. Every bag felt like a colorful work of art; I couldn’t help photographing our goodies.
We loved it so much that I signed up for it again in 2025. In 2024 and 2025, the half share total price was $415, and they offered a once-monthly payment plan from February through May if you wanted to go that route. We had the same farmer in 2025, and it was so fun to see them again!
Just like in 2024, we received more incredible produce in 2025. There were multiple occasions where I had to pass on our produce to others because we couldn’t get through it all, haha. I’m hoping we get better at using up our produce this year now that I’m signed up for our third CSA!
The half share CSA price for 2026 increased to $450, but it still feels like a bargain compared to all the produce we receive. Plus, I love supporting our local refugee community. They have been mainstays at our local farmers markets for as long as I can remember!
How much does a CSA cost?
The cost of a CSA depends on the grower and varies based on the size of the share, the number of items you receive, how often you receive items (weekly, biweekly, etc.), what types of items are included (veggies vs. meat), the method of growing (e.g. pesticide-free), etc.
In Boise, half shares of CSAs start at around $400 for the full growing season (late spring to early fall). Some growers offer to break that price up into equal payments prior to the season starting so it’s not as much of a financial hit all at once. Expect to pay around double that for a full share.
What happens if you can’t pick up?
If you have a Global Gardens CSA and go out of town or can’t pick up your share for one reason or another, you need to go to the website a few days ahead of time and indicate if you want to pick up your share at the main Global Gardens farm location (which can only happen after your pick-up day) or if you want to donate it that week.
You can also opt not to do that and instead send someone else to pick it up in your place. I let whoever is cat-sitting for us pick up our CSA that week!
Be sure to review the terms of whichever CSA program you sign up with so you know what to do in case you can’t make your pickup.
Is a CSA worth it?
Absolutely! If you and your family are big vegetable eaters, you’ll enjoy a produce CSA and feel good about supporting local. We receive so much food with only a half share that it’s sometimes difficult to get through it all!
CSA Programs in Boise, Idaho
Local to Boise and want to try a CSA? Here are the current options available as of publication!
Boise Valley Farms — fresh from the farm in Nampa — half shares and full shares available (trials also available) — runs for 18 weeks — three pickup locations around Boise (or pickup at the farm in Nampa) plus a home delivery option — learn more
Dry Creek Growers — collaboration between Whistlepig Farm and Black Fox Farm — half shares and full shares available — runs for 20 weeks — four pickup locations around Boise plus a home delivery option — learn more
Fiddlers Green — certified organic — bi-weekly or weekly shares available — runs for 22 weeks — three pickup locations around Boise — learn more
Global Gardens — supports refugee farmers in Boise — half shares and full shares available — runs for 18 weeks — 11 pickup locations around Boise plus a home delivery option — learn more
Peaceful Belly — a community-centered farm based in Canyon County — spring (4-week) or fall (5-week) shares, half shares, and full shares available — runs for 16 weeks — four pickup locations around Boise, three pickup locations around Caldwell, and pickup also available in Meridian and Eagle — learn more
ReWild Farm — sustainable urban farm — runs for 18 weeks (closed week of July 4) — half shares (bi-weekly) and full shares (weekly) available — pickup at the farm in northwest Boise — learn more
True Roots — herbs and flowers included — runs for 20 weeks — half shares (bi-weekly) and full shares (weekly) available; one dozen eggs included in both — four pickup locations around Boise — learn more
There are also some farms outside of Boise offering CSAs:
Boise Valley Farms — fresh from the farm in Nampa — half shares and full shares available (trials also available) — runs for 18 weeks — three pickup locations around Boise (or pickup at the farm in Nampa) plus a home delivery option — learn more
Happy Heron Farm — uses regenerative agriculture practices — runs for 16 weeks — half shares (bi-weekly) and full shares (weekly) available — pickup at the farm in Nampa or home delivery option available — learn more
Peaceful Belly — a community-centered farm based in Canyon County — spring (4-week) or fall (5-week) shares, half shares, and full shares available — runs for 16 weeks — four pickup locations around Boise, three pickup locations around Caldwell, and pickup also available in Meridian and Eagle — learn more