What to look for in a CSA

As my last post showed, CSA's are becoming more popular every year. There are now so many farms that offer the shareholder service, how does one choose a CSA?

There are many ways in which CSA's differ. I looked at a few aspects that are likely to decide whether the CSA is right for you.

1. Price

2. Types of shares available

3. Pick up convenience

4. Crop list

I did some research to compare other CSA's that were easy to find on google maps that were within 25 miles of Nourse Farm. Here is a brief outline of each CSA.

Nourse Farm

Westborough, MA

Standard Share (2-4)- $600.00

Small Share (2) - $450.00

Pick-Your-Own-Share - $150.00

Pick up is from farm on Th, F, Sat

Crop list posted and flexible, includes berries

Heirloom Harvest

Westborough, MA

One size share option -

$ 625.00

Work share available - 8 hours/ week

Multiple pick-up locations and delivery on T, Th, Sun

Sample harvests posted

Sweet William Farm

Uptown, MA

Full Share (4) - $750.00

Half Share (2) - 550.00

Work shares available

Pick up at farm T,Th,S

Anticipated crop list with egg and bread add on shares available

Pakeen Farm

Canton, MA

One share size - $650.00

Pick up from farm on T, F

Typical crop list posted, includes flowers

Land's Sake

Weston, MA

One share size $650

Pick up at farm on T, Th

Crop list posted, some flexibility to pick your own

*waiting list for 2011

Lindentree Farm

Lincoln, MA

Large Share (family) - $775

Small Share (2) - $625

($50 fee for new member

s first year)

Work commitment fro

m each adult - 4/season

Work shares available

Pick up at farm T, Th, Sat

Sample crop list posted, apple share add-on available

The most obvious thing that sets Nourse Farm apart from the other local options is price. There is no cheaper local CSA than Nourse Farm. Their weekly value for a full share is about $30 of vegetables and berries. This easily beats any supermarket price and competing CSA.

The program also has a good variety of available shares. You can choose a size that is right for the number of people in your family, or you can opt for the pick-your-own option. This allows you to go pick your own berries, cherry tomatoes, and pumpkins as available for the 20-week share period!

As far as convenience, Nourse

Farm is pretty similar to other local CSA's. It has multiple times for pick-up and the farm is easily accessible.

The most notable aspect of the share that puts Nourse Farm higher in the rankings than other CSA's is the crop list. It is typical for farm shares to produce only vegetables. With a Nourse Farm share-hold you receive BERRIES as well as veggies. With the flexibility to pick your own share (there may be limits on how much of certain items you can take) this is a great balance to the weeks with an overabundance of lettuce or zucchini.

berries fresh from the farm!

The application to join the CSA is easy and on their website. Check it out to join the Nourse Farm CSA! http://oldenoursefarmgourmet.com/store/page11.html