Get Fresh, Local Produce All Year: Your 2016 Fall and Winter CSA Guide

Greensgrow Farms CSA share | Photo via Facebook

If you missed the boat for a summer community-supported agriculture program (CSA), now’s your chance to get in on the farm-fresh veggie game: Believe it or not, it’s already time to start thinking about fall and winter CSAs.

In case you aren’t familiar, a CSA usually works like this: You buy a share of a farm’s harvest and, in return, you get a weekly or biweekly delivery of fresh produce that you grab at the nearest pick-up site. Most of the farms we’ve listed below sling a prepaid share for the whole season, but a couple are offering flexible pay-as-you-go options where you can choose which weeks you want a share. If you want in, sign up now so you don’t miss out on your fresh sweet potatoes, cauliflower, and kale!

Greensgrow Farms

What to expect: In each box, there will be five to seven veggies, one fruit, a protein (like tofu, eggs, or milk) and one meat item. Occasionally they’ll toss in a treat, like homemade sauce or preserves. You can choose between a meat, vegetarian or vegan share, and your box can be adjusted accordingly (think: more produce, plus treats like local breads and cheeses). A vegetarian share comes with two to four additional vegetables.
Harvest Season: There are 10 biweekly pick-ups between the first week of December and the first week of April. Sign-ups for the winter season begin September 30th.
Pick-up: Pick-ups are made at their (heated) greenhouse on 2501 East Cumberland Street in Fishtown as well as West Philadelphia. You can learn more about their locations here.
Cost: It’s $450 for a standard biweekly share.

Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative

What to expect: If you order a large share, you’ll received 11 to 12 organic vegetables per week, while the medium share will give you six to eight items per week. Kale, carrots, onions, and greens are just a few of the goodies you’ll receive. You can also choose from two other shares: the “Omnivore it!” which includes meat, cheese, and local pantry items like sauerkraut and maple syrup, or  the “Veganize it!” which includes organic tofu, artisanal bread, and local pantry items.
Harvest season: Eight weeks, starting the first week of November.
Pick-up: You can grab your box in Rittenhouse, Ardmore, Wynnewood, and more.
Cost: A large share is $265, and a medium share is $195. An eight-week share of the Omnivore it! is $208, and the Veganize it! is $124.

Philly Foodworks

What to expect: For this rolling farm share program, you order your share separately each week with no commitment for the rest of the season. A small farmer’s share comes with six to seven vegetables and up to three fruits, while a large comes with eight to 10 vegetables and two to three fruits. You can expect spaghetti squash, peas, leeks, bok choy, apples, fresh herbs, and lots more. An assortment of add-ins are available, and you can even choose the “Your Choice” option, which gives you complete control over what comes in your box, as long as you spend at least $28 per order.
Harvest season: Philly Foodworks will be delivering shares every week of the fall and winter, except for a break from December 25th through January 1st; check their calendar to keep up to date.
Pick-up: They offer plenty of pick-up options including Center City, Old City, Manayunk and more. You can also opt to receive home deliveries for $5 per box.
Cost: A small share is $28 to $32 per week, and a large is $38 to $43 per week, depending on contents. Cost of add-on shares varies.

Crawford Organics

What to expect: If you sign up for a full share, you’ll pick up a box every week, and if you sign up for a half share, you’ll pick up a box every other week. Each box will contain about eight organic vegetables, which will range from summer crops like tomatoes and peppers at the beginning of fall and shift to fall items like broccoli and squash as the season progresses. Lettuce will be in almost every box.
Harvest Season: The fall CSA runs 18 weeks from the last week of August through December.
Pick-up: If you’re in the city, the pickup is at 1424 South Street. Pick-up sites also include Ephrata, Manayunk, Chestnut Hill, and at the farm in East Earl. For a list of all locations, click here.
Cost: A share for 18 weeks is $585, and a bi-weekly share includes 9 boxes for $292.50. For price updates, be sure to check out the price-listing page. Since the fall/winter CSA season already started, the share price will be pro-rated based on when you sign up.

Jack’s Farm

What to expect: This is another CSA that’s great for those with produce commitment issues — it’s totally pay-as-you-go. Each share contains anywhere from five to 15 items that may include greens, eggplant, root veggies, and more. If you like what’s in the share any given week, you can order one.
Harvest season: You can order a share any week until December.
Pick-up: Penn Herb at 601 North 2nd Street or at the farm in Pottstown.
Cost: No major upfront costs here; just pay as you go.

West Philly Foods

What to expect: In addition to receiving 10 to 12 pounds of fruits and vegetables weekly in the large share (five to six pounds for the small share) you also have the option of adding artisanal cheeses, yogurt, jams, and fruit bars. And no worries, they’ll only send these savory add-ons once a month, so you don’t have to feel guilty about indulging.
Harvest Season: Seven weeks, starting the week of November 7th.
Pick-up: Pick-ups are made every Thursday at CHOP Hospital and Walnut Hill Community Farm.
Cost: A full share is $640, and a half share is $375. Add-on prices vary.

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