Denver Botanic Gardens and Kaiser Permanente have created a first-of-its-kind Community Supporting Agriculture (CSA) program. The community farm provides fresh local produce to Colorado families.

Made possible through a three-year, $500,000 grant from Kaiser Permanente, the CSA operates as a community farm at Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield—located at C-470 and Wadsworth Blvd. in Littleton. Shares of the CSA are sold to members of the public who then receive portions of the garden’s fresh produce during the harvest season, from June through October.  

This venture marks an important milestone: The Gardens is the first botanical garden in the country to operate a CSA program of this scale. This partnership is also believed to be the nation’s first CSA collaboration between a botanical garden and a health care provider.

In its first year, the Chatfield CSA served approximately 50 households. In our second year 150 households were served.  

In 2011, the Chatfield CSA produced over 11 tons (45,900 lbs.) of produce on three acres of land. Just over two tons (4,188 lbs.) of produce were donated to local nonprofit organizations in the Rocky Mountain region. The other 41,712 pounds went to our CSA shareholders.

We grew arugula, beans, beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers, eggplants, herbs (basil, dill, cilantro and parsley), kale, leeks, lettuce, okra, onions, peas, hot and sweet peppers, potatoes, radishes, spicy mesclun salad mix, spinach, summer squash/zucchini, Swiss chard, tomatoes, tomatillos, turnips, watermelon and winter squash. We also had fruit shares and honey for sale. We use sustainable practices in our fields, however our produce is not certified organic. This means that we do not use any chemical-based herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers on our CSA crops.

The CSA model is based on establishing a community and reconnecting people to their food and this is the primary focus of what we do.

All 2012 CSA Veggie Shares are SOLD OUT! There were a limited number of shares available to new shareholders, and were available on a first-come first-serve basis. Please email csa.chatfield@botanicgardens.org if you have questions.