Sign Up Now For A Local CSA For Fresh Produce All Summer

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) or Farmshare programs allow subscribers to buy fresh vegetables, and sometimes fruit, eggs, and more, directly 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 usually 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.

Greenwood Heights CSA
Farm Hearty Roots Community Farm and General Cochran Dairy Farm provide items for this 22-week season, which runs from June 6 to October 31.
Cost Full share is $552, half share is $276, and you can add on fruit (though the B week option is already sold out), eggs, milk, yogurt, meat, maple syrup, and salmon. Members are required to work one distribution shift.
Pick-up at Slope Park, 6th Avenue between 18th and 19th Street, on Saturdays from 9-11am.
Deadline to sign up is open, but act fast, as things sell out quickly. Sign up and pay online.
More information at their website.

Local Roots NYC
Farm Various supply this 12-week season, which runs from June 9 to August 25.
Cost Full share of vegetables, which they say is about 4-5 varieties each week and estimate is enough for 1-2 people, is $185. There are a number of other things to add as well, including fruit, meat, dairy items, and even chocolate. Additionally, you can pay for home delivery (if you order $300 or more worth of stuff), and you don’t need to volunteer.
Pick-up at Prospect Bar (545 5th Avenue between 14th & 15th Streets) on Wednesdays from 6-8pm.
Deadline to sign up: May 27. Sign up and pay online.
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 in June.
Cost Full share is $635.04, half share is $335.04 (both shares, add $20 admin fee). Add-ons include fruit, eggs, flowers, extra veg, meat, bread, preserves, 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. You’re required to volunteer for one distribution shift.
Pick-up is available on Wednesday from 4:30-6:30pm 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: end of April. Sign up and pay online.
More information at their website.

Not into the commitment of a CSA? We also have pick-ups and deliveries in the area for services like Nextdooorganics, Good Eggs, and Quinciple. And don’t forget the Bartel-Pritchard Greenmarket or the PS 295 Farmers Market (which will be back soon!).