What exactly is a CSA?
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture and the main concept is
to encourage consumers to purchase goods from local growers. Rather than bringing
goods to market, farmers pre-sell their harvest to community groups that share
in the bounty of good seasons and the risks of poor seasons. In either case
the farmer is guaranteed a steady income without the risk of getting wiped
out by an off-year.
Does that mean I can pay for a share and get nothing?
Our particular group has worked with Stoneledge Farm for 10 years now. We
have seen droughts, constant rain, too much heat and too little. No matter
the conditions, the farm has always been able to produce a decent crop. Because
organic farms grown many different crops in a single season, no one weather
condition will cause the entire harvest to fail. In fact, extreme conditions
have often had pleasantly surprising results.
Who came up with the idea of CSA?
I have heard that it comes from Japan, I have heard it was the idea of a lady
in New England. Don't believe it. Local folks have supported their farmers
and vice versa for thousands of years. There's nothing new under the sun.
Where are the pickup sites?
We have 2: the Church of Heavenly Rest on 5th Avenue at 90th Street and
the Church of the Epiphany on the corner or York Avenue and 74th Street.
What are the days and times for pickup?
Deliveries come to the pickup site on Tuesdays. Members who pick up at
90th St. can come between 3:30 and 7:00 PM and members who pick up at 74th
St. can pick up between 4:00 - 7:00 PM.
How long does the season last?
The season runs for 24 weeks from mid-June until the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.
What vegetable share types are available?
Vegetables shares can be purchased as full shares, half shares, spring/summer
shares, and fall shares. A full share is full quantity for 24 weeks, a half
share is half quantity for 24 weeks, a spring/summer share is full quantity
for the first 12 weeks and a fall share is full quantity for the last 12 weeks.
Are spring/summer shares and fall shares available in half
quantities?
Normally no. Because the farmer must plan out her harvest well in advance,
the number of spring/summer and fall shares are limited. When possible, we
will sell these shares in half quantities if we can find 2 people who make
a request but first priority goes to purchasers of a standard offering. Final
decisions are made at the discretion of the site coordinator.
Why does it say Fall Shares are only available for renewing
members?
Stoneledge Farm plans its season based on a number of shares for all of its
CSA members throughout the whole season. We try to match up spring/summer
shares with fall shares so that the total number of shares is about the same
from week to week. It is not possible to accurately predict an adjustment
in the output of the farm so we are not able to accommodate all requests for
fall shares, some are sold at the beginning of the season to renewing members
but most people are put on a waiting list. If the late harvest is going well,
the farm makes additional fall shares available in August.
How much does it cost?
Pricing fluctuates from year to year based on the costs of running the
farm. See the brochure for the most current pricing.
How many people does a full share feed?
The answer is dependent on several factors: how much you cook, how willing
you are to try different items and what your dietary habits are like. A single
vegetarian who rarely goes out to eat is likely to go through a full share
in a week without difficulty. An overworked couple that doesn't prepare too
many meals and doesn't typically have vegetables as a main course would be
happy with a half share.
How much of the price of the share actually goes to the farmer?
We are an entirely volunteer run organization, no one is paid other than the
farmer and the truck driver. Members are responsible for setting up, helping
unload the truck, cleaning up at the end of the night, recruiting new members,
producing and sending mailings, etc. About $15 of every share is used to cover
overhead expenses, mostly copying and postage but also items like stickers
for the kids who come to the site, tables, baskets and other miscellaneous
supplies used at the sites. New members receive the book Recipes from America's
Small Farms at a cost of about $12, this money comes out of the $15 set
aside for the group. The book was written by members Lori Stein and Joanne
Lamb Hayes and the $12 is the cost the publisher charges them.
Is the group compensated in any other way?
The group is given 1 share for every 10 shares sold. These shares are used
generally given to regular volunteers, donated to benefits and fund-raisers
for community groups like schools, and used to help subsidize shares for low
income families.
What if I cannot pick up on a given week?
We encourage members to connect with friends and neighbors to pick up in their
absence, this is a great way to spread the word and reward the good folks
who feed the cats and water the plants while you are away. There are no refunds
for missed weeks.
Is there a mandatory volunteer commitment?
No. We are entirely dependent on volunteers to make the group work and
we strongly encourage members to volunteer for 4 hours a year by making some
phone calls at recruiting time or helping at the pickup site.
What happens to food that does not get picked up?
The Doe Fund picks up extra items from 90th St. and the Church of the Epiphany
is given the extra items from 74th St. for its Wednesday night meals program.