Frequently Asked Questions
What a CSA?
The CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) model has been developing over the past 20 or so years as one of the many means of creating a food production and distribution model that is healthy and sustainable for people, the economy and the environment. While there are about as many ways of doing a CSA as there are CSAs, the basic model involves a group of people buying shares in the seasonal output of a local farm, usually at a discounted rate, and in return receiving weekly drop-offs of the farm's product through the entire growing season.
How does a CSA work?
Members of the CSA purchase a full or half share of vegetables, which they pick up at a distribution site once a week. The season is 20 weeks long, begins around June and ends around October. Members receive a weekly box of their share of produce, a full share amounting to about enough vegetables to get fresh veggies into the diets of a family of four for the week. For a smaller family, it would mean vegetable-based meals for the week. While the shares are generally set, if someone really does not like eggplant, for example, they can tell our farmer and he will try his best to substitute it with something of a similar value.
During weekly pickup, some of the produce is weighed and distributed mixed in a box (see pictured) and you take the contents from one box. Additionally, other produce is distributed by units instead of weight and so is "self serve," meaning that you select (usually 1-3 units) your items from various other boxes.
In addition to vegetables, the following add-ons are also available for an additional fee:
- Eggs
- Extra fruit (stone fruit including peaches, pears, apples, plums)
- Jarred goods (honey, pickles, tomato sauce) (New for the 2011 season!)
What is the difference between a half and full share?
Half shares receive approximately 60% of the amount of produce in a full share. Depending on the week, half shares may not include every type of vegetable that a full share receives. Half shares feed a family of approximately 2-3 for one week; full shares feed a family of approximately 4-5 for one week.
Where is the weekly pick-up location?
This year, weekly pick-up is at Flatbush-Tompkins Congregational Church, at East 18th and Dorchester.
How much does it cost?
Click on the link below for a cost comparison of the Ditmas Park CSA and other local grocery options. For details about the cost of membership for 2011, click above on the Join the CSA! section of this website.
What are my responsibilities as a member?
The Ditmas Park CSA is a member-run volunteer organization. We rely on our members to distribute shares. You will be required to participate in one 2-hour shift in order to help distribute shares during the season.
What if I cannot pick up my share for a particular week?
Shares can only be picked up at the designated times listed above. If for any reason a subscriber can't pick up their share, it is the responsibility of that CSA member to make arrangements for having someone else pick up their share. In past years, we have created a google groups forum for members to reach out to each other to arrange volunteer shift swaps and to discuss any share trades throughout the season if members are out of town. Shares that are not picked up are donated to a food pantry at a local church.
Is the farm organic?
Please refer to the About the Farm section of this website for more details about where your vegetables are coming from and how they are grown.
How do I join?
Please refer to the Join the CSA! section of this website for more details about joining the Ditmas Park CSA.
What if I have additional questions?
If you have further questions about joining the CSA, please feel free to contact us at ditmasparkcsa@gmail.com. Thank you for your interest!
For more information, e-mail us at ditmasparkcsa@gmail.com.