Enjoy Fresh Produce & Support Nearby Farmers By Joining A Local CSA

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) or Farmshare programs allow subscribers to buy fresh vegetables, and sometimes fruit, eggs, and more, direct from a local farmer. You pay in advance (though different CSAs may have different pay scales or due dates), and then during a period of weeks during the peak growing season, you go to a set location to pick up a variety of items that are currently available at that farm. You will also have to commit to at least one volunteer shift during the season.

There are pros and cons — for instance, pro, you get fresh veg straight from the farmer; con, you have to make sure you can be at the predetermined pick-up time every week or so. In our area, there are several CSAs to choose from, so you have to look at their options to see what works best for you. See the list below, and if you have any experiences you’d like to share, or questions you’d like to ask of people who’ve done it before, please do so in the comments.

Ditmas Park CSA
Farmer Jorge Carmona of Amantai Farm in Pennsylvania, who also sells at the Cortelyou Greenmarket, is the source for this 20-week season of mainly vegetables and some fruits that starts in mid-June (exact date TBD).
Cost Full share is $680, half share is $455 (both shares, add $25 admin fee), pick-up for both is every week. You can pay up-front, or in two installments. Add-ons include eggs, jarred goods, extra fruit, plus beef, pork, and more from Lewis Waite Farm.
Pick-up is on Tuesdays (full share) and Wednesdays (half share), 4:30-8pm, at Flatbush-Tompkins Congregational Church, E 19th and Dorchester.
Deadline to sign up: April 15. Sign up online, but payment must be made by check.
More information at their website.

Flatbush Farm Share
Farm at Miller’s Crossing, located outside of Hudson, NY, provides this 22-week season of vegetables that runs May 28 through October 22.
Cost They run a sliding scale payment system, with full shares costing between $319 and $659, single shares between $159.50 and $364; some levels of payment are available with installment plans. Full and single fruit shares are also available, as are add-ons of eggs, yogurt, beef, canning shares, and items from Milk Not Jails.
Pick-up is every week for both share types on Wednesday from 6-8pm at the Flatbush Reformed Church, E 21st Street and Church Avenue.
Deadline to sign up: April 22. Sign up online, but payment must be made by check.
More information at their website.

Kensington/Windsor Terrace CSA
Farm Garden of Eve on Long Island provides this 24-week season of vegetables that starts June 5.
Cost Full share is $615, half share is $325 (both shares, add $15 admin fee). Add-ons include fruit, eggs, flowers, plus extra veg, meat, and cheese. You can also get a one-time plant share at the beginning of the season. There’s also a combo share available where you get veg, fruit, flowers, and eggs for a slightly discounted price over what you would pay for each individually.
Pick-up is available on Wednesday from 4-6:30pm or Saturday from 10:30am-12pm at East 4th St Community Garden, E 4th St between Caton Ave and Ft Hamilton Pkwy. Full shares pick up every week; half shares every other week.
Deadline to sign up: early May, or until all spots are filled. Sign up and pay online.
More information at their website.

Photo by belledivine