Tomato Mountain Farm — Attraction in Niles Township

Honest, unpaid review:

My partner and I have been using Tomato Mountain for the better part of a year. I found them through some Reddit posts, as I wanted to find a way to support local farmers.

They do not require a contract, you can skip or donate a box whenever you'd like, and you're allowed to customize your box based on their ample offerings. They partner with 67 farms (at the time of this review), so the options you have for your box are plentiful. The veggies are immensely flavorful - the yellow corn we received this summer was almost like candy!! We've been able to expand our produce horizons, as TM has introduced us to things we didn't even know existed!

Their communication throughout every step is amazing as well. We receive texts and emails about our deliveries, and receive multiple email reminders to order or skip/donate our box. I also just appreciate that it feels like they actually care about their land, their people, and their produce.

I will say, if you're looking for produce and products that mirror the same cost you'd find in the grocery store, a CSA like Tomato Mountain may not be for you. The current smallest box is a $24 minimum, plus an $11 delivery fee (unless you purchase $100 of applicable products). You also have to purchase a cooler that can accommodate your order, if you do not have one already. However, my partner and I agree that the $36/week we spend here is beyond worth the cost. I imagine they set their prices accordingly because they offer a complete Farm to Table network, which eliminates the middle man and helps to ensure that they and their partners are more fairly compensated (please research how much debt American farmers carry and how many are paycheck to paycheck - you'll be shocked).

With times as they are, I know that the price point may be prohibitive for some, but if you're able to swing it even once per month, I believe you'll agree with me that their service is absolutely worth it. 11/10...

Not just good but life-changing, I've been with them for more than five years and now that the system is customizable and full of options it's covering so much of our food we hardly ever have to go to grocery stores or markets, the delivery is so convenient and the quality always brilliant. Grocery store delivery often brings bruised or sub-par produce but Tomato Mountain is the opposite, always bringing us produce that's stunningly fresh & gorgeous. Their own veggies sweetest spinach, carrots, and tomatoes ever, amazing peppers, salsas, and variety, but the add-ons from partner farms now include stunning sourdough bread, fruit, frozen fruits & veggies, fantastic firm tofu, great milk & cheeses, oils & vinegars, miso, hot sauce, a rotation of pre-made things like pies & veggie burgers to be step-savers on busy nights, and a constant array of new additions. We're eating better than ever, saving the time we would spend shopping, and we know it's all grown with ethical labor practices. One of the best decisions we ever made! We also share with a neighbor who puts in a joint order with us and picks things up from us weekly, a great way to share with friends for one...

I have now received my third box since signing up. I am thrilled with the freshness and quality of the produce. It’s beautiful and taste so much better than the store-bought comparatives I like that it’s organic. When compared to some of the other community food shares, this one offers so much more flexibility. I love that I can change what’s in my box each week to choose those foods that I like most. I can also add more to my box, and they have partnered with some great organizations to offer options outside of the vegetables they grow.

Most of their veggies come pretty clean, although I always wash them before I put them away. The one exception seems to be the spinach. Even though I have put it through multiple washes, the variety of spinach they grow is very ruffled and extremely hard to get clean.

I find the cost is a bit more expensive than shopping at a traditional jewel or Mariano‘s, but since everything is organic and freshly picked, I feel the quality is worth the extra price

Overall, I am very pleased and will continue to participate in the program. I am very much looking forward to the warm season vegetables that...