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About Us

Jun 19th 2009

The Bloomfield-Montclair CSA is a group of 80 members who support the sustainable farming activities of local farmers.

The basic idea of Community Supported Agriculture is that a farmer grows for a group of members who have purchased “shares” in the harvest. Members pay at the beginning of the season in March, when the farmer most needs the money. When the crops start coming in in June, the farmer delivers a weekly assortment of vegetables, herbs and some fruit. This is not a co-op, there are no wholesalers or distributors. 100% of your food dollars go to the person who is growing it. You support sustainable local agriculture and get freshly picked organic produce at reasonable prices. In addition, you know the farmer growing your vegetables and can visit the farm—establishing a personal connection with your food supply.

Members pick-up their share at a distribution site on Tuesday afternoons. Everyone contributes a few 45-minute shifts during the season to help with set-up and clean-up. The site looks a little like a farm stand with vegetables in crates and coolers. Members weigh and bag their own shares. Kids can help or play while you chat and swap recipes. The pick-up becomes a place to bump into friends and meet new ones, a chance for kids from different schools to say “Hi” and an opportunity to compare notes on roasting eggplants.

Why Join a CSA?

  • Support a local farm
  • Eat fresh picked organic vegetables
  • Preserve open spaces
  • Know the farmer who grows your food
  • Teach your kids where food comes from
  • Visit the farm
  • Eat seasonally
  • Meet friends
  • Reduce packaging waste
  • Cook something new

How Does it Work?

Members pick-up their share at a distribution site on Tuesday afternoons. Everyone contributes a few 45-minute shifts during the season to help with set-up and clean-up. The site looks a little like a farm stand with vegetables in crates and coolers. Members weigh and bag their own shares. Kids can help or play while you chat and swap recipes. The pick-up becomes a place to bump into friends and meet new ones, a chance for kids from different schools to say “Hi” and an opportunity to compare notes on roasting eggplants.

In addition to a weekly share of veggies, members also have the opportunity to order several other food offerings.  Members may opt to sign up for a separate 12 week fruit share, purchase bulk organic blueberries, order bimonthly deliveries of pastured eggs or poultry.

What’s in a share?

  • The weekly shares are provided in partnership with John Krueger, currently at Starbrite Farm. John grows mostly vegetables, however, he also grows melons. Previous shares have included: Arugula, Asian Greens, Basil, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Broccoli Raab, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Celeriac, Chard, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Herbs, Kale,  Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Melons, Onions, Parsnips, Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Radishes, Salad Mix, Scallions, Spinach, Summer squash, spinach, Tomatoes, Tomatillos, Turnips, Winter squash.

Fruit Share:

  • In addition to the vegetable share, we also coordinate a separate fruit share that runs for 12 weeks. Members who sign up for the fruit share receive two types of fruit each week, including peaces, plums, apples, pears, etc. While the fruit is not grown by Farmer John, he purchases it from local farmers and delivers the fruit to us with the weekly veggie share. The fruits are not always strictly organic—growing organic fruit in NJ is quite difficult—they are grown on an organic vegetable farm, are low-spray, and eco-grown.

Eggs and Poultry:

  • Members have the option of ordering organic, pastured poultry and eggs from Ken at Havenwood Farms and Stables, located in Newton, NJ.  Pastured chickens are living, eating, and breathing fresh air and grass. They are not caged, or considered free-range (which are often chickens that are allowed to wonder around the same small patch of dirt day after day, but must go inside to find food).  Eggs and chickens are delivered every-other week for members who have placed orders with Ken.

NJ Blueberries:

  • The Bloomfield-Montclair CSA has an arrangement with an organic blueberry farm in southern NJ and we usually coordinate one or two deliveries of blueberries each season. Members have the opportunity to order flats of blueberries for one or both deliveries. Prices vary seasonally.

Local Honey

  • From time to time, local honey–some from the hives at our pick-up site–is made available for members to purchase.

How much does it cost?

  • The share price for the 2009 season is $540 for a 22-week “full season share” or $500 for the 20-week “2-weeks” off option. (John offers an early bird discount of $25 for shares paid in full by April 1)  There is a $20 cash site fee due during one of the first deliveries each season to help pay for running the distribution.  Members get 10% off at John’s stand at the market should they want more.
  • The cost for the fruit share in 2009 is $15 per week for 12 weeks, $180 total.
  • Prices for flats of blueberries vary season to season
  • Prices are currently $4.00 per dozen for the eggs, and $16-18 per bird, depending on their size.
  • Prices for local honey vary season to season.

Want to join?  Contact us!

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