CSA: Community supported agriculture

What is the fall CSA? 

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Traditionally, a CSA customer purchases a “share” of a farm at the beginning of a farm season; that upfront investment allows farmers to buy seeds, supplies, and tools needed for the growing season. Then, throughout the season, CSA members pick up some of whatever vegetables are in season that week. This direct relationship between the farmer and the consumer allows both parties to share in the risk of crop failure and the reward of a bountiful harvest.

Our CSA model offers sliding-scale payment options to all, so that those who can afford to invest in our farm can do, so while those who need access to free and reduced price produce can still reserve their share at the beginning of the farm season. All our members receive the same fresh, locally-grown produce, regardless of what they pay for the share. 

When is the fall CSA?

Our Fall CSA offers 4 bi-weekly pickups during November and December. CSA members pick up from our distribution site at 2 Washington St. in Ipswich every other Saturday from 10am-12pm. We send out a bi-weekly newsletter during the CSA season reminding members of the pickup dates and letting them know what’s going on at the farm as well as what produce we predict will be available in the share that week.

What can I expect in my fall CSA?

We offer a choice-based model for our Fall CSA: there will be more options available in a given week than the number of items in your share. This way, you can choose the things you like and leave the things you don’t. The Fall CSA offers just one size share, which is usually larger than our Summer CSA due to the bi-weekly nature of the pickups and the fact that many fall produce options store longer in your home than summer produce. For example, if there are 14 produce options in a week then fall share members might be invited to choose 12 of 14 items.

We try to offer a wide variety of crops, including but not limited to lettuce, cabbage, broccolini, kale, chard, carrots, beets, radishes, turnips, garlic, onions, leeks, winter squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and more!

Bonus items

We also offer bonus items whenever possible: crops we grow that aren’t hearty veggies, but that offer flavor and joy to our members. Fall bonus items might include, sage, thyme, parsley, fresh ginger, and more. We also partner with other local farms to buy-in fruit, which we don’t grow ourselves. You can expect to see fruits like apples and cranberries as options in your Fall CSA!

Choose the price that’s right for you

Our CSA share prices reflect our costs: the seeds, potting soil, compost, equipment, labor, and everything else we put into growing veggies and caring for the land. That said, our mission is to grow healthy, delicious, and nutritious food for all, even those who can’t otherwise afford it. So we offer price options for everyone, from free to full price, in the signup/checkout page.

Community-Supported Agriculture is built on trust and a shared commitment between farmers and members, and our pricing works the same way - you identify your own ability to pay, recognizing that each year might be different. Choose what works best for your household!