Crop Share Scheme

A weekly set box

What is CSA?

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a partnership between farmers and consumers in which the risks, responsibilities and rewards of farming are shared.

Commitment goes both ways

Mandala Garden’s commitment is to provide a variety of local, seasonal, fresh organic/biodynamic produce for our crop share members.

The CSA scheme provides an invaluable continuity of income for Mandala Garden and makes growing more sustainable and more rewarding. Compared to the industrial producers, we apply more gentle cultivation of the soil and much work by hand. This means we grow more labour intensive, but support and enrich a larger natural habitat in the garden and operate on a human scale where nothing is wasted. We grow to supply a certain amount of shares. All produce are grown at Mandala Garden (unless communicated otherwise). We can plan the crops for our crop shares throughout the season and are also able to go with what challenges or abundances the season brings. Working with a living system on a human scale.

In return, Mandala Garden aims to provide members with fresh and quality organic/ biodynamic produce throughout the delivery season. We know that getting a regular set veg box can be a challenge as well as an inspiration! The set veg box aspect and the direct sales to crop share members are the core points that make the business work for us. We appreciate our member’s commitment and are in return committed to deliver quality produce for real value for money!

You are welcome to visit us and see your food grow. Also, you can contribute to the growing of your food - really being in touch with the seasons and the soil.
By being a member of the Mandala Garden Crop share, share the berry and fruit gluts by inviting you to pick your own berries and other amazing fruits in the future! A large part of Mandala Garden is our Community Orchard!

Mandala Garden is delighted to share biodynamic/organic produce with you!

How to sign up?

1^st step:
Please contact Ute ute [snail] mandalagarden [period] uk to sign up or to be put on the list.

This is because we have to find a fine balance between demand and supply and the variability of each season’s growing conditions.

We grow for our members!

2^rd step:
Sign up at: https://mandalagardenproject.ooooby.org/
The OOOOBY platform helps us managing the weekly deliveries and payments. Once the system is rolling, there is nothing else for you to do than receive your crop share box. However, you can change and update your profile and payment on the OOOOBY web page.

Membership is really important for running a Crop Share Co-creation and gives members a much better deal than a Veg box delivery service! Please pay an annual £30.00 for Crop Share Membership and read the membership details below. This fee helps to cover overheads like increased admin and insurance costs. Your contribution is much appreciated! Thank you for being part of Mandala Garden Project!

You can pay your membership very easily on the OOOOBY platform, when you sign up.

How does it work?

• Each Friday afternoon, a weekly set box is delivered according to what is available each week. If weekly is too often for you, then opt for a two weekly share instead. The large share is the better value for money choice.
• Typically a crop share box contains salads/lettuce, leafy greens, herbs and seasonal veggies – like cabbage, broccoli, radishes, carrots, beans, courgettes etc sometimes fruits are added too. A small box has 5-6items and a large box 5 -7 items.

• We currently deliver to Nairn, Forres, Kinloss and Findhorn.
• To help with meal planning, you’ll receive an email at the beginning of each week with details of what will be in the box that Friday.
• To end your membership just provide us with 3 weeks’ notice, starting on a Friday. If possible, it would be great to help us finding a person who can take on your share.
• We have a pick up shed in St Leonards Rd, Forres. Boxes can be picked up from there after 4pm Friday afternoon.
• If you go on holiday, you have two choices; can inform us to deliver your box to a friend in our delivery area or you can to donate your crop share to the Pop up Pantry in Forres Town Hall ( local food bank)

boxes ready for delivery

How do I get involved?

Produce is grown here with love and is a joyful celebration of the seasons and our Northern climate, the special light, the rain and… the rainbows!

Warm welcome to visit Mandala Garden and see your food grow!

Please contact us to arrange a time to visit.

You are also most welcome to contribute at Wednesday Volunteer Mornings.

We invite you to connect with where your food comes from and how it is grown.

See more about updates on volunteer days

Many thanks for your support and for enjoying your share of Mandala Garden’s harvests!