Go local csa guide 2022

As spring approaches the sun shines its rays upon New England. The air loses its bite and takes the form of a pleasant breeze. Naturally, a craving for fresh fruit and vegetables arises. Where better to obtain the best produce than New England? This year, explore the area and CSA offerings. CSA produce is a local harvest and always has a homegrown taste.

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. It is a partnership between farms and consumers. Members pay in advance for a “share” of the farm’s harvest for a set portion of the year. As a CSA member, you will pick up the selection of fresh produce, herbs, or even flowers on a designated day at the farm.

Does this sound like a good way to eat healthy this summer to you? Head over to the websites of each farm listed on the next page to fill out a CSA application. But don’t wait, shares fill up quickly!

140 MEADOW STREET . FLORENCE, MA (413) 268-4372 . SAWMILLHERBFARM.COM Sawmill Herb Farm provides local access to quality ingredients used in a number of recipes. Before each share, Sawmill Herb Farm sends an e-newsletter with information about the herbs in the upcoming share. Herbs are grown using sustainable and certified organic practices. A local full share costs $205-240 and includes 10 shares, biweekly pickups from June 4-Sept. 25, one free class in Sawmill Herb Farm’s workshop series, and an invitation for participation in the private CSA Facebook group. A local half-share costs $115-140 and includes 5 shares, monthly pickups from June 18-Sept.11 and an invitation for participation in the private CSA Facebook group. Examples of herbs that can be found in each share include yellow dock root, motherwort, elder flowers, blue vervain, lemongrass and dandelion root.

DOWN TO EARTH FARM CSA

5 MICHELEC ROAD . STAFFORD, ct (860) 851-9617 . GETDOWNTOEARTH.ORG Down to Earth Farm’s CSA offers a unique experience. It provides members with the opportunity to work on the farm where their fresh produce will be grown! Large Working Share $500 / Small Working Share $250. Work sessions are two hours every other week and involves tasks such as soil preparation, planting, watering, weeding and harvesting. There is always staff on site to provide support and work times are flexible. For those not interested in working on the farm, Down to Earth Farm’s CSA also offers non-working shares. Minimum deposit of $150 when submitting membership Application.

bordua farms

1536 main street . south windsor, ct (860) 335-2705 . borduafarms.com Bordua Farms provides a bountiful CSA that allows members to receive an assortment of produce once a week for 18 weeks. Each share is expected to feed a family of 2-4 people. Examples of produce in each share are beets, cabbage, herbs, melons and peppers. In October, 2 ornamental pumpkins are also included. The farm also has a floral add-on that provides CSA members with 6 bouquets. Bordua Farms teams up with other local businesses to provide unique add-ons. Pork from Mosher Farms of Broad Brook and fruit from Draghi Farms of South Windsor are additional add-ons. If joining the CSA sounds interesting, Bordua Farms will host a Night on the Farm event for current and potential members to learn more about the CSA in September.

scantic valley csa

244 Hampden Road . East Longmeadow, ma (413) 627-2718 Scantic Valley CSA collaborates with small, local farms including Pomeroy’s Vegetable Farm, Crow River Farm and D&R Farm. They offer a fresh and delicious selection in their shares that varies by week. Whole Shares ($620) and Half Shares ($340) are available. Scantic Valley CSA ensures all partners use sustainable practices, including vegetables and fruits grown free of synthetic pesticides and herbicides.

Kosinski Farms and Farmstand

336 / 420 Russellville Road, Westfield, MA (413) 572-4344 . kosinskifarms.net When you become a member of the Kosinski Farms CSA family we commit to raising your food with sustainable and environmentally responsible practices. We guarantee that your food will be grown and harvested locally. Our season starts with the first pick of strawberries, usually the second week of June and continues through the middle of October. These dates are contingent on the weather and may need to be adjusted. Late Spring through Fall, Large Share $750, Small Share $425. Bakery and Wine Shares are available for additional cost of $200 and $250 respectively.

granny’s place

844 main street . agawam, ma (413) 786-9366 . grannysplacefarm.com Granny’s Place provides farm shares for 17 weeks, from June 17 to October 15. Three share sizes are available: Individual/Senior Share for $265, Small Share for $425 and Large Share for $665. For $55, members can add a dozen farm fresh eggs. Granny’s Place offers a wide range of fresh vegetables including asparagus, potatoes, apples and squash.

syme family farm

72 windsorville road . broad brook, ct (860) 623-5925 . symefamilyfarm.com The Syme Family Farm CSA is a little different from the usual fruit and vegetable share. The farm in Broad Brook offers a Cut Flower Club CSA, where members sign up and pre-pay for 4 or 8 week worth of locally grown

oxen hill farm

1434 Hill Street . Suffield, CT (860) 214-5104 . oxenhillfarm.com Oxen Hill Farm is offering their 13th USDA Organic Summer CSA program in 2021. The farm offers a variety of shares (Ox, Calf, and Mini) curated to meet the needs of each individual. Oxen Hill Farm is one of few USDA Certified Organic vegetable farms in North Central Connecticut, which is something you can feel good about!

Mountain View Farm CSA

393 east street . easthampton, ma (413) 329-0211 . mountainviewfarmcsa.com Mountain View Farm offers three different share packages. The Singles/Couples share costs $25-$430, the Regular share $660 and the Farm Share Plus $795. All share packages include U-Pick access. U-Pick gives members access to fields where you will find a harvest of items such as flowers, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, peas and beans.

Easy Pickin’s Orchard

46 Bailey Road . Enfield, ct (860) 763-3276 . EASYPICKINSORCHARD.SQUARE.SITE Easy Pickin’s Orchard has been offering CSA shares for a decade from their pick-your-own farm. Each box picked up from the CSA will feature whichever fruits and vegetables are in their prime during the season, including strawberries, blueberries, onions and tomatoes. Easy Pickin’s utilizes an integrated pest management system to ensure high-quality growing practices.

YELLOW STONEHOUSE FARM

354 Root Road . WESTFIELD, MA (413) 562-2164 . YELLOWSTONEHOUSEFARMCSA.COM Westfield’s first USDA Certified Organic CSA program, Yellow Stonehouse Farm is a 79-acre property located in both Westfield and Southampton, Mass. Cultivating over 17 acres of certified organic vegetable and flowers for their CSA shareholders for their growing season, early June through late October. Weekly Full Farm share is $695, while every other week is $495.

For pricing, CSA details and specific pickup locations (many producers offer various sites) for the 2022 season, please contact farm directly. This is not a comprehensive list, if you would like to be included in future publications, please contact: mjohnson@repub.com Go Green: Remember to bring a reusable bag, basket or bin with you to pick up your CSA harvest. The less plastic, the better!

FIND YOUR LOCAL, SEASONAL EATS!

CISA Community Involved in Sustaining Local Agriculture • BUYLOCALFOOD.ORG BUY CT GROWN Where to find CT Grown Products • FARMTOCOMMUNITY.UCONN.EDU LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS Many have year-round markets • LOCALHARVEST.ORG LOCAL FOOD ASSOCIATIONS CTFOODASSOCIATION.ORG • MAFOOD.COM COMMUNITY GARDEN COMMUNITYGARDEN.ORG LOCAL CO-OPS WILLIMANTICFOOD.COOP • RIVERVALLEY.COOP DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CT.GOV • MASS.GOV