You know you should be eating whole, real food more often. You know that when you do you feel better. You also know you should be patronizing small, local farms. And further, you know that French fries don’t really count as a veggie serving. But…okay, no buts this time. You’ve just got to do it. And they way to solve all of these problems at once is to enroll in a, Community Supported Agriculture or CSA program in North Jersey.
A CSA is a way for people who live in cities or towns to have access to fresh, local produce and a way for farmers to gain capital for their crops early in the season. Buy a share of a farm’s harvest in advance, and receive a box full of in-season produce as it’s harvested throughout the growing season. Interested? Take a look below for a CSA (or CSA drop off location) near you.
Stokes Farm Thyme Saver CSA, Old Tappan
The delivery season runs for 12 weeks from May 31 – October 12, 2018. Patrons can choose a large box which serves 3-4 people or a small box for 1-2 people. Or, if you don’t want to commit to either box, become a shareholder. Essentially, you buy a gift card to the farm but are entitled to the perks of being a CSA member, special events, recipes and the option to purchase the week’s CSA box.
Box pickup is Th or F at Old Tappan Farm Stand, 23 Dewold Road, Old Tappan, 201-768-3931
Abma’s Farm CSA, Wyckoff
May 22nd starts the 20-week CSA season at Abma’s. Choose from a personal box of 5-8 items per week for $399/season, a half share of approximately 12 lbs per week for $599/season or a full share of approximately 25lbs per week for $999/season. Perks include a free farm tour offered once a month for CSA participants.
Box pickup is T,W or Th at Abma’s, 700 Lawlins Road, Wyckoff, 201-891-0278
https://abmasfarm.com/fields/csa/
MEVO Fresh Roots Farm, Mahwah
MEVO, which stands for Mahwah Environmental Volunteers Organization, operates a 2-acre community based, volunteer staffed educational farm in partnership with the Bergen County Parks Department. This year, they are offering 35 shares in their CSA. The season starts on June 13th and ends November 7th. Cost is $800 per share.
Box pickup is Tuesday afternoon at Fresh Roots Farm at Campgaw Mountain Reservation, 200 Campgaw Road, Mahwah, 908-472-1029
Demarest Farms, Hillsdale
Band together with 24 of your closest friends or co-workers and have Demarest Farms deliver your CSA boxes or individuals can pick up at the farm. Season runs from June 6th – September 26th and patrons can choose from a full share offering 3-4 servings per box for $595/season before May 1st and $625/season after May 1st. Half shares of 1-2 servings are $350/season before May 1st and $375/season after.
Box pick up is Wednesday at Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Rd, Hillsdale, 201-666-0472
http://demarestfarms.com/csa-community-supported-agriculture/
Hazon CSA at Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, Tenafly
Hazon CSA offers not only vegetable shares but egg, fruit, butter and sweet tooth shares as well. The 22-week CSA season’s start and end date will be determined based on spring weather. A full vegetable share includes 7-10 vegetables/week and is $520/season. A half vegetable share is $295/season.
Box pick up is Tuesday afternoon at Kaplen JCC, 411 E. Clinton Ave, Tenafly, 201-408-1456
http://www.jccotp.org/jewish-community-events?progID=10707
Wightman Farms, Morristown
If you happen to have weekly business in the Morristown area, Wightman Farms could be the CSA for you. Offering 3 options, the smaller Farm Fresh Finicky box for $460/20 weeks, the larger Farm Fresh Fanatic box for $600/20 weeks for the PYO Farm Club option for $891/33 weeks, the Farm’s season runs from May through September.
Box pick up is T or F, with late pick up on Wednesday or Saturday at Wightman Farms, 1111 Mt. Kemble Ave, Morristown, 908-477-0105.
http://www.wightmanfarms.com/csa.html
Hesperides Organica, Florida, NY
This community of farmers is committed to natural, sustainable farming practices. The CSA season is June 6th – October 24th. Family Shares of 1-13 items weekly are $800/season. Single Shares of 5-8 items weekly are $600/season.
Box pick up is on Wednesdays at multiple locations around Bergen County. 845-216-1282
http://hesperidesorganica.com/csa.htm
http://hesperidesorganica.com/application.pdf
Alstede Farms, Chester
Choice abounds at Alstede. Participants are able to pick their share size (full, half or personal), their box type (classic or pack-your-own) and their season. The 31-week Farmer’s season runs from April 24th – November 20th and ranges from $779 - $1499, the 20-week Heart of Harvest season runs from June 12th – October 23rd and ranges from $399-$799, or the 4-week Holiday season which runs from November 29th – December 20th and ranges from $99-$199. Box pick ups are at local Bergen County farmer’s markets. Past markets include Englewood and Jersey City. 2018 Farmer’s Market locations and pick-up days will be available in May. 908-258-6245.
https://alstedefarms.com/highlands-harvest-csa/csa-harvest-box-descriptions/
