Registration for 2010 is closed. If you wish to get an email about 2011, please sign up on our wait list. Also look to Just Food to find other CSAs in your neighborhood.What's a CSA?
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, a program for purchasing fresh produce from a regional farm. With a CSA, you buy a fixed-price "share" of a farm's output at the beginning of the season, and receive a selection of their harvest once a week from May through October CSAs reduce wasted food (in good years) and financial loss (in bad years), allowing smaller farms to avoid some of the risk of their business. In return, you get fresh, organic vegetables delivered right to your neighborhood.
For more general history about CSAs, check out Wikipedia; for more information about CSAs in NYC, hop over to Just Food.
Who Are We?
Grand Street CSA is a partnership between residents of Grand Street and other neighboring blocks on Manhattan's lower east side, and Woodbridge Farm in Salem, Connecticut. We are member-run and not-for-profit, organized in 2008 solely for the purpose of bringing fresh produce to our community.
How Does It Work?
In early spring, members commit to a full share or half share and pay Woodbridge Farm through us. From the last week in May through the last week in October farmers David and Julia Smagorinsky deliver locally grown, certified organic produce once a week to our distribution spot, where you come to pick up that week's bounty.
Every member is also required to volunteer for at least two distribution shifts during the year.
A full share is generally enough for a (non-vegetarian) family of four, a half share for a family of two. There is not a fixed quantity each week: you're getting fresh vegetables from a single farm, so the variety and amount will vary based on the farm's actual harvest.
Cost for the 2009 season was $590 for a full share and $340 for a half share. Each membership includes a $15 admin fee to the CSA that supports our subsidy of a few low-income shares, as well as for the few supplies we use at distribution (scales, signs, rags).
CSA Extras
In addition to vegetables, we also have arrangements to provide fresh organic fruit, eggs, and more. The payment options are similar — you pre-pay for the entire season — though the share model is not exactly the same for each extra. For example, egg shares can be bought at a fixed quantity of 12 or 6 per week — you're not actually getting a share of the hens' output.
Distribution
Shares are picked up every Tuesday from 5pm to 8pm at Henry Street Settlement, Abrons Art Center, 466 Grand Street, on the plaza just outside the main entrance.
Shares that are not picked up will be donated to the food pantry run by Our Lady of Sorrows Church.
Remember to BYOB (bring your own bag) each week! Official Grand Street CSA cotton market totes are also available for purchase ($10) at distribution.
Join Us!
Unfortunately we have a limited number of shares available, and previous members are given priority for each new season. But there is definitely some turnover every year. Put your name on our wait list, and we'll contact you when there are openings for the new season.
For more information, email us or leave a voicemail at 347-673-1664.
