Welcome to Palate Patch CSA

Palate Patch is a small-batch, specialty produce CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) rooted in Iowa and dedicated to growing flavorful, seasonal herbs and vegetables. Our produce is grown with care, harvested by hand, and curated for the curious palate—perfect for home cooks, foodies, and flavor-seekers.

Reserve Your Share

Our Mission

To grow rare, specialty and uncommon varieties of herbs and vegetables that inspire everyday creativity in the kitchen—without chemicals, waste, or compromise.
We believe in flavor-forward farming, full-plant cooking, and reconnecting people with the magic of seasonal eating.

  • From Dream to Garden

    At Palate Patch CSA, we believe in the power of locally grown produce. Our journey began just one year ago when we started our dream garden. Little did we know it would turn into the talk of the town.

  • Growing Sustainably

    We're committed to using sustainable gardening practices that protect the environment and ensure the health of our soil and crops. It's important to us to grow food in a way that supports the ecosystem.

  • Join our CSA

    By joining our CSA program, you'll support local agriculture and get access to fresh and flavorful produce, recipe showstoppers and palate pleasers. Plus, you'll get to know your food source from garden to table.

Our CSA shares include a rotating mix of:

Hand-grown vegetables

Heirloom tomatoes, rainbow carrots, leeks, broccoli, and more.

Rare culinary herbs

Apple mint, bronze fennel, purple basil, lovage, and other underused flavor heroes.

Edible perennials

Rhubarb, sorrel, asparagus, and berries.

Full-plant features

Beet greens, squash blossoms, radish tops, and other edible "extras".

Seasonal recipes & ideas

Tips and inspiration for using every leaf, stem, and root in your box.

Everything is grown without the use of synthetic sprays, using regenerative and no-till methods to protect the land, support soil health, and nurture our bodies with fresh wholesome foods.
Note that listed box inclusions are representative of the types of produce and herbs you will find in a Palate Patch CSA box. Due to weather conditions, pests or other uncontrollable circumstances, those listed are not a guaranty.
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  • Step 1: Pick Your Frequency

    WEEKLY (Pay-as-you-go)
    Fresh box every week. Cancel anytime.

    SEASONAL (June-September)
    Best value + priority access to specialty items. Exclusive weekly delivery option.

  • Step 2: Select Box Size

    SMALL
    Feeds 1-2 people.

    LARGE
    Feeds 3-5 people.

  • Step 3: Delivery or Pick Up

    DELIVERY
    Delivered to your doorstep weekly for a small fee. (Seasonal Share customers only).

    PICK UP
    Visit our Swisher or Cedar Rapids location to pick up each week (Thursdays).

"There's nothing more loving than sharing food with others."

Emily Carlson | Palate Patch Founder & Chief Gardener

Meet Your Grower

Hi, I'm Emily!

Founder of Palate Patch and your local grower, recipe-tester, and flavor enthusiast.

  • Based in Iowa. Growing for flavor, not perfection.
  • Kitchen-first produce for food lovers and adventurous eaters (like me).

By day I work as a consultant.

But when I'm not sharing a piece of my mind to help grow some of the world's most innovative businesses, I'm sharing a piece of my heart growing healthy, unique, and flavorful produce in the garden with dirt under my nails and my dog Ebb at my side.

I started Palate Patch to blend my love of sharing nutritious food, seasonal eating, and creative home cooking—all from a 500 sq. ft. backyard garden and an ever-expanding patch of edible perennials.

I grow food I love to eat:

The overlooked, the interesting, the unexpected. I believe in using as much of the plant as possible, minimizing waste, and freezing summer in a scoop. This is gardening with intention. Cooking with curiosity. Living the (dirt) dream.

Thank you!

I believe there's nothing more loving than sharing food with others. I started Palate Patch to do just that and I can't thank you enough for supporting me and local growers everywhere.