Farm Shares
Want farm fresh food without growing it yourself? Purchase a “farm share” and pick-up fresh fruit and vegetables directly from your own personal farm. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of “shares” to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a “membership” or a “subscription”) and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season. This arrangement creates several rewards for both the farmer and the consumer.
Advantages for farmers:
- Get to spend time marketing the food early in the year, before their 16 hour days in the field begin
- Receive payment early in the season, which helps with the farm’s cash flow
- Have an opportunity to get to know the people who eat the food they grow
Advantages for consumers:
- Eat ultra-fresh food, with all the flavor and vitamin benefits
- Get exposed to new vegetables and new ways of cooking
- Usually get to visit the farm at least once a season
- Find that kids typically favor food from “their” farm – even veggies they’ve never been known to eat
- Develop a relationship with the farmer who grows their food and learn more about how food is grown.
NYC Farm Shares (boxes of fruits and vegetables delivered to one’s doorman) can run as much as $1100 a year. We are lucky to have more affordable options in our area:
Hesperides Organica – Hesperides Organica offers a full-season, weekly subscription for local, freshly-picked, sustainably-grown vegetables, herbs and flowers. Known as Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), this is a partnership between the farm and members. Each member receives a box of seasonal produce weekly. They offer three convenient locations for pickup (Hawthorne, NJ is the closest). They also offer flexible payment options. Join today because the number of shares is limited. Weeks beginning June 5 – October 16. $20 a week. Lisa VanDenBerg 845-216-1282.
Joy’s Farm– Members pick up their shares each wednesday at the farm in Paramus, NJ. 35 shares that sell out quickly. A small CSA farm located in Bergen County, NJ. They offer a variety of peppers, eggplant, herbs, cut flowers along with the our great Jersey tomatoes! Cucumbers, beans, cabbage and squashes are just a few of the other crops we grow. Apples, peaches and honey from other local farms offer members variety throughout the season. They grow following natural, organic methods. Contact Susan Joy 609-412-3189.
Southtown Farms– (Mahwah, New Jersey) Southtown Farms is Bergen County’s only true pasture raised/free range poultry farm. They raise flocks on a simple diet of sunshine, fresh water, and whatever little hens can take from the earth naturally. They only supplement with manufactured feed when necessary to maintain the health and safety of the flock. At no time do they use animal by-products, hormones, or antibiotics. Along with fresh eggs, they have started their beehives, and with any luck will be able to offer our customers fresh, local, raw honey. CSA works in conjuction with Catalba Ridge Farm in Sussex County NJ (CSA pick up location in Mahwah, and Hoboken). They supply the fresh vegetables weekly, and we bring the eggs to their drop off location. Contact Matt Soldano 201-304-3712.
Richfield Farms CSA – This year the program consists of 3 options (pick up in Clifton, NJ). 1) A Full share for $525: 20 weeks of produce to be distributed once a week starting mid June. 2) a Half share for $275: 10 weeks of produce with the options of June-August or August-October. 3) Bi-Monthly Full Share for $275: produce picked up every other week for 20 weeks. Every Friday afternoon from 1pm-7pm participants will be able to pick up their produce, which will change seasonally. As a member in this program, you will receive an abundant variety of the following: salad greens, fresh herbs, tomatoes, sweet corn, blueberries, bell peppers, cucumbers, hot peppers, onions, garlic bulbs, potatoes, eggplant, zucchini, beans, apples, pumpkins, apple cider, fresh pies and breads, bouquets of fresh cut flowers and much more. A majority of the produce will be organically grown and will be labeled to indicate just that. They are limited to 25 participants. William Morton 973-777-7535.
