CSA is a trusted relationship between you and a local, family owned farm.
It is a way of sharing the responsibilities, risks, and rewards of a better food system. When you purchase a CSA share, you are providing your farmer with the resources they need to grow your food. In return, your farmer commits to giving you a “share” of their crop, and you receive the highest-quality, sustainably-grown food available, all season long.
CSA is an opportunity to experience food in a new way.
Every week your farmer delivers a variety of fresh, nutritious foods to convenient locations in your neighborhood. You get quality produce at the peak of its season, and varieties of vegetables not available in stores. Farmers provide tips and recipes to help you prepare new seasonal dishes. Your CSA foods are more than just groceries — they’re an experience.
CSA benefits your local economy, community and environment.
When you keep your food dollars in the local food system, you eliminate the middlemen, and the farmers get 100% of the cost of your share. In turn, they invest this money in preserving our region's precious topsoil, using sustainable practices such as cover cropping, carbon sequestration, and rotational grazing.
CSA food is the freshest, healthiest food you can get.
Not only are varieties chosen specifically for our maritime climate, they are allowed to ripen fully before harvest, so all their micronutrients and natural sugars are given time to develop. CSA food is quite literally the tastiest, healthiest and nutritious food available.
It's like a magazine subscription, but for food! First you find a farmer that has that type of share you want. Then you sign up, and make a payment. There are many ways to pay for a share. Traditionally, you pay the full amount at the beginning of the season, when the farmer needs the capitol the most for purchasing seed, supplies, and planning their season. There are other options too: many farmers accept monthly payments via SNAP, or have various payment plans. Ask your farmer! Once the season starts, you get a weekly "share" of their harvest.
How does Community Supported Agriculture work?
What is Community Supported Agriculture?
How to Join a CSA
Joining a CSA is easy! Here are the steps
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Use our search tool to choose a farm that works for you.
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Consider what kind of CSA is right for your household (see CSA Glossary below)
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Contact the farm directly to sign up! Have questions? You can email, call or visit CSA farms. You can also ask to speak with existing CSA members to get a sense of what their experiences have been. Farms are busy places. Always contact a farm first before visiting.
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Stay in touch with us by subscribing to our newsletter, where you’ll learn about events, recipes, cooking and storage tips, and more!
Size of the weekly box
Share sizes range greatly. How much food will you eat? Do you want your share to include all of your vegetables for the week, or to act as a supplement to your regular grocery shopping?
Length of season
From 10 weeks to 52, different farms offer different options for seasonal eating. A few distribute year round; some only operate during one or two seasons.
Share distribution days, times and locations
Does the farm drop off shares at a place and time that is easy for you to get to on a weekly basis? If you're concerned about being able to make it to pickup your share each week, you may want to explore farms that offer home delivery.
Add-ons
For an additional cost, some farms offer eggs, meat, cheese, bread, mushrooms, fermented foods, flowers, honey, and other items.
Growing practices
All of our farmers are committed to sustainable growing practices, but some have also invested in certifications such as organic, biodynamic, certified naturally grown, and salmon safe. And some raise livestock exclusively on pasture.
