Updated April 14, 2008: Regular priced membership for the 2008 Season is now closed. Please go to the membership page to sign the waitlist. We will let you know if space opens. We are currently accepting applications for need-based/ low-income shares. If you believe you qualify, please email info@astoriacsa.com for an application.

What is CSA?

Community Support Agriculture (CSA) is a mutually beneficial partnership between a local, organic farm and a neighborhood that desires fresher, healthier produce. Before the growing season starts, each CSA member purchases a produce share. As a shareholder in the farm, a CSA member receives a weekly share of the harvest throughout the growing season. Payment is required before the season begins, to provide a stable financial base for the farm. This allows the farmer to purchase seeds, hire labor, and get the season started without having to take out high-interest loans. In order to make the CSA work, every member pitches in. We ask members to contribute at least one 4-hour session working at our distribution site. This allows you to meet our farmers, other CSA members, and helps keep the administrative fee low. Follow this link for even more information.

Why Organic?

Organic agriculture is an approach to farming that seeks to maintain and improve the productivity of the land by encouraging and enhancing natural biological processes. Organic farming excludes the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. As much as possible organic farmers rely on crop rotation, crop residues, animal manures and mechanical cultivation to maintain soil productivity. “A growing body of research shows that pesticides and other contaminants are more prevalent in the foods we eat, in our bodies, and in the environment than we thought. And studies show that by eating organic foods, you can reduce your exposure to the potential health risks associated with those chemicals.” Consumer Reports (Feb. 2006) The Golden Earthworm Farm is certified by Northeast Organic Farming Association-NY.

Why Local?

Local food tastes better because it arrives to you fresher and crisper than food found in a market (which travels on average 1,500 miles and takes 2 weeks to reach you). Local food is a personal stand against Agribusiness. Local food supports local families, and the New York State economy. Also, local food reconnects you with your home and season in ways long forgotten by many city dwellers.

How did Astoria CSA form and how is it organized?

Astoria CSA started with a group of like-minded individuals in late-2006 who wanted to bring affordable, local, organic produce to their neighborhood. This group eventually became the first “Core” group, working to obtain members and organizing logistics of running the CSA. For example: communicating with farmers, communicating with members, setting up a bank account, organizing and running events, finding a delivery site, recruiting members, and seeking payments.

Some CSAs offer Core members discounts (or free shares) for the hours they spend organizing their CSAs. Astoria CSA decided very early that no discounts or freebies should be offered to Core members, it remains this way today. Astoria CSA is entirely volunteer-run, from Core to the basic volunteer requirements of every member. This keeps our costs as low as possible: we have no salaries, no discounts, no rent and payment goes directly to our farms (aside from our admin fee to cover misc. costs- like setting up a voicemail system).

We do have a basic structure that we follow, but usually, people fill in where their time and talents permit. This provides us a fluid Core group, where any Astoria CSA member can get more involved where they see an opening, and any member can leave or become less active, without the guilt associated with payment. Our first season was summer 2007 with 100 shares. Now in our second year, with 150 shares (including need-based shares), we hope to keep Astoria CSA growing stronger! Our contact information is at the bottom of this page.

Who can sign up for Astoria CSA?

Anyone! Astoria Community Supported Agriculture is for the entire Astoria Community. Whether you are a family of 4 or a single student, we welcome everyone. For 2008, we received a grant through Citizens Committee for NYC to help support more members and expand our reach in the community, please join us.

How do I become a member?

To become a member of Astoria CSA you must purchase a basic Vegetable Share. We offer many add-on options at an additional cost. A Fruit Share provides a weekly drop of low-spray fruit. We offer a one-time tomato share for processing into jars/cans or freezing (you receive tomatoes in your regular share too). We partner with 8 farms upstate that bring us grass-fed/pastured meats and organic cheeses, bread, jam, honey and more, once a month. In 2008 we are expanding our add-on options by partnering with more local businesses (all options are yet to be decided).

What is a Vegetable Share and can I split it?

Share contents vary from week to week, depending on what is in season. A share includes 6-10 different types of vegetables that are harvested less than 24 hours before they reach your table. Each share feeds 3-4 non-vegetarians. (Realistically, this depends on how much you eat or eat out.) We understand that these shares may be too large for singles or small families. We encourage you to split shares. Post to a special thread on astorians.com or e-mail us to find a share partner. Also, see some of our farmer’s newsletters or Storage Tips page (to come) for ideas of what is received in a share on any given week.

How do split shares handle pick ups?

It is up to the share partners how they want to handle these logistics. Many share partners meet day-of distribution and split up the share when the second party arrives. Some shares work out an every other week pick-up schedule, while others split on-location and leave a bag for their partner behind (with a name attached). Please note that if a share member leaves a bag behind that is not picked up it is not the responsibility of the CSA to hold the vegetables. Leftover vegetables get donated to Steinway Food Pantry.

How long is a season?

Our season lasts 26 weeks (6 months). Deliveries start June 5 and end with a special Thanksgiving share (received the Monday before Thanksgiving).

Besides prepaying, are there other requirements to being a member?

To make the CSA work for everyone with reasonable prices, Astoria CSA is run by volunteers. We require four hours of volunteer time from each member by working at distribution during the season (including set up and clean up). It’s easy and fun. If you are unable to work a distribution shift we welcome your creativity in finding a volunteer solution that works for you. If you are a musician we love music for a potluck. If you are a great organizer why not plan an event? After you join, E-mail volunteer@astoriacsa.com to reserve your Thursday volunteer date.

What else does Astoria CSA offer?

Beyond delicious, organic, local food, Astoria CSA offers programming throughout the season. There are two organized farm visits where members have an opportunity to see our farm and food and meet our farmers, though as a member you are welcome at the farm anytime. We offer other events too. In 2007 these included a picnic in Astoria Park, an end-of-the-year potluck, an on-site food demo, a movie night and a social night.

After I join, how do I get my produce?

The distribution point for Astoria CSA is located in southern Astoria (or northern Long Island City). The farm (and add-ons) are delivered in bulk to ARROW Community Center, 35th Street between 35th & 36th Avenues. During the season, every Thursday, 4:30-7:30 PM, members are able to pick up their share. ARROW generously gives us a place to store the food and some indoor space for a couple of hours. Each week two volunteers unpack the boxes, create a sign showing the week’s portions, and check in members.

What if I cannot pick up my share?

Many members send friends, neighbors, roommates or ask other Astoria CSA members to pick up their shares when they cannot make it. Any share that is not picked up is donated. In 2007 our donation site was Steinway Food Pantry.

How do I sign up?

In 2008, membership opened to returning members mid-January. Registration to the public opened in March. Registration is offered online or by paper. We accept credit card (online only; deposit/ multiple payments), check or money order (mail-in; payment in-full). Full payment must be received by May 1.

How much does it cost?

For our 2008 season:
Basic Vegetable Share (required): $495 + $25 administrative fee ($520) for 26 weeks of vegetables. The administrative fee covers the cost of the website domain, fliers/ paper, tables, storage units and anything that may come up during the year. (For low-income families we can subsidize up to $250 of this cost. Please email us about this option.)
Fruit Share (optional): $138 and lasts about 16 weeks. This provides around 7 pounds of mixed fruit depending on the season per week (peaches, berries, apples, pears). Please note that with more delicate fruits (raspberries/ blueberries) weight will not be by pounds, but pints/ half pints.
Fruit Extension (optional): $12 for a 3-week fruit extension for of strawberries.
Tomato Share (optional): $25 for a one-time 20 pound drop of Roma tomatoes for processing (you will receive non-Roma tomatoes in your regular share).
Other add-ons are pay-as-you-go and up to the member depending on what is ordered.

Do you have a pay scale for need-based families?

Yes. We received a grant in 2007 from Citizens Committee for NYC to put towards up to 15 need-based families for our 2008 season. We can support up to $250 towards the cost of the regular vegetable share. Unfortunately, at this time we cannot accept EBT payments but are working towards it. We want to work with you to find the best payment option, making these vegetables affordable to everyone. To receive a need-based share, families are asked to fill out a short (6 question) application. Once reviewed, you will be called for an interview to review payment options that work for you. Once accepted, a small deposit will be due May 19 and regular payments will take place once a month during the season. Need-based families can purchase any additional fruit, tomato or other add-ons, but the CSA can not contribute towards the payment. If you think you may qualify for this payment option, please contact us at info@astoriacsa.com.

Outreach Materials

Updated materials for the 2008 season coming soon!

Press

We’ve been featured in several publications. Here are a couple we found online:
New York Resident Magazine 2/6/08
Queens Gazette 12/05/07
The Daily News 12/04/07
Time Out New York 3/22/07
Roving Gastronome 3/20/07
Queens Chronicle 3/15/07

Are there other CSAs in the area?

Hellgate CSA is located in northern Astoria (around Ditmars), Queens. Hellgate CSA uses a different farm than Astoria CSA. They feature shares that are less expensive and smaller than ours.

Sunnyside CSA formed the same year as Astoria CSA! Located in Sunnyside, Queens. Sunnyside CSA also uses the Golden Earthworm Farm and has the same share size and prices.

Farmspot CSA- Now in its third year, Farmspot is located in Jackson Heights, Queens. Farm Spot also uses the Golden Earthworm Farm.

There are 50 CSAs in New York City with more forming in 2008. Who helps with all this? The fabulous people at Just Food, a non-profit organization that works to develop a just and sustainable food system in the New York City region.

Contact Us!

For questions or comments about volunteering, email volunteer@astoriacsa.com
For questions or comments about the newsletter, email newsletter@astoriacsa.com
For questions or comments about membership (payment info), email membership@astoriacsa.com
For questions or comments splitting shares, email split@astoriacsa.com
For all other questions and comments, email info@astoriacsa.com

Our voicemail is 718-512-5401, someone will respond to your call in a few days.
Our address is: Astoria CSA/ PO Box 6336/ Long Island City, NY 11106 (once the season begins this is rarely checked)
To reach us in-person, stop by one of our distributions. We are at ARROW Community Center every Thursday, June 5 to late-November, 4:30-7:30 PM, 35th Street (between 35th & 36th Avenues).