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2026 Guide to Community-Supported Agriculture in Chicago

Meredith Francis
A plate with tomatoes, garlic, spring onions, and baby corn
Credit: Sandy Noto for WTTW

There are plenty of options for buying fresh produce, meat, eggs, and more from local farmers at farmers markets during the summertime in Chicago. Community-supported agriculture, or CSA, offers another way to get balanced foods directly from farmers.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, CSAs (also sometimes called “farm shares”) are made up of “a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community’s farm.” 

Here’s how it typically works: the consumer pays the farmer a sum of money, and each week or month, that consumer gets a share of the farmer’s product. The share of those goods come in a box or bag, either delivered to your door or picked up at a designated spot.

Different CSAs offer different things. Produce, including fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs, are the most common. Other farms offer fresh meat, eggs, and other pantry must-haves, such as honey, or even flowers. 

A few important notes:

  • The cost of a CSA can vary widely, depending on the frequency, pick-up vs. delivery, type of payment, and more. The costs listed below reflect the range of options at each CSA.
  • Many CSAs require a sign-up form.
  • Some offer delivery, but most offer pick-ups at locations around the city. 

Don’t see your favorite CSA listed? Submit your CSA for consideration to [email protected].

Cedar Valley Sustainable Farm

Farm Location: Ottawa, Illinois
Products: Meat, including chicken, pork, beef, eggs, and more
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-ups offered in Blue Island; Evanston; Naperville; Oak Park; Ottawa (on the farm by appointment); Chicago: Lincoln Square, Logan Square, Ravenswood, West Loop
Frequency: Monthly
Cost: $66–$206, depending on size of share

Chicago Patchwork Farms

Farm Location: Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood
Products: Vegetables and herbs
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-up offered a week at 2825 W. Chicago Ave. in Chicago
Frequency: Weekly, from May to October
Cost: $800–$2,000 for a season’s subscription, depending on size of share

Geneva Lakes Produce

Farm Location: Spring Prairie, Wisconsin
Products: Vegetables
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-ups offered in Glenview, Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood, Spring Prairie, Evanston, Oak Park, and Palatine
Frequency: Weekly, for 20 weeks, with option for a 27-week season
Cost: $680–$1,425 for a season, depending on size and duration of share

Growing Solutions

Farm Location: Chicago
Products: Fresh produce and herbs
Pick-Up and Delivery: Pick-ups available at farm location and at Old Post Office
Frequency: Biweekly or monthly, depending on pick-up location
Cost: $200–$250

Just Roots Chicago

Farm Location: Chicago
Products: Fruits, vegetables, and herbs
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-ups in Chicago or Sauk Village
Frequency: Weekly or twice a month, May to October
Cost: $13–$36, depending on size of share, income level, and frequency 

Liberty Prairie

Farm Location: Grayslake, Illinois
Products: Organic vegetables, fresh fruit, and pasture-raised eggs
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pickup at Grayslake Farm, Evanston, Oak Park, Wilmette, Glenview, Lake Forest, Deerfield, Northbrook, Vernon Hills
Frequency: Weekly or every other week, for 28 weeks a year
Cost: $37-$1484, depending on season and frequency of pickup

Mint Creek Farm

Farm Location: Stelle, Illinois
Products: Grass-fed meats and eggs
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-up available in Chicago: Avondale and Woodlawn, Evanston, Downers Grove, and at Mint Creek Farm. Delivery available in Chicago, Evanston, and Oak Park
Frequency: Weekly or Monthly
Cost: Varies by type of share. A weekly delivery starts at $66 every 4 weeks.

Read our story about Mint Creek Farm.

Nichols Farm

Farm Location: Marengo, Illinois
Products: Fruit and vegetables
Pick-Up or Delivery: Delivery for an additional weekly fee, or pick-up at dozens of locations
Frequency: Weekly, for 24 weeks a year (fall and winter shares also available)
Cost: $840–$1,800 for a season

Rustic Road Farm

Farm Location: Elburn, Illinois
Products: Vegetables and eggs
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-up at Rustic Road Farm Stand and Wheaton French Market
Frequency: Weekly, for 20 weeks a year
Cost: $599–$899 for a season, depending on size of share

Second City Greens

Farm Location: Lockport, Illinois
Products: Leafy greens, lettuces, and herbs
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-up at various locations in Lockport and delivery available
Frequency: Weekly
Cost: Varies; full family share of lettuce and greens is $20 per week

Star Farm Chicago

Farm Location: Back of the Yards
Products: Eggs, bread, and produce
Pick-Up or Delivery: Delivery
Frequency: One-time, weekly, or twice a month
Cost: Varies by membership, with weekly deliveries starting at $200 per month

The Talking Farm

Farm Location: Skokie
Products: Vegetables and eggs
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-up at Andersonville Farmers Market in Chicago, Skokie Farmers Market, and Three Tarts Bakery & Cafe in Northfield
Frequency: Weekly or biweekly for 5–10 weeks
Cost: $250–$725 per share for a season

Tomato Mountain

Farm Location: Brooklyn, Wisconsin
Products: Produce plus staples and specialty items
Pick-Up or Delivery: Delivery on Wednesdays-Saturdays, depending on the delivery zone
Frequency: Weekly
Cost: $16–54 minimum per week depending on size, not including delivery fees

Urban Growers Collective

Farm Location: Collective of multiple Chicago farms 
Products: Vegetables, fruit, and herbs
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-up at South Chicago Farm or Floriole Bakery; delivery for a fee
Frequency: Weekly
Cost: $31–$51 per box per week

Wild Trillium Farm

Location: Richmond, Illinois
Products: Vegetables and flowers
Pick-Up or Delivery: Pick-ups in Chicago: Lincoln Square or Logan Square; Wauconda; or Richmond
Frequency: Weekly or biweekly
Cost: $375–$725 per share for a season, depending on size and duration of share