9 Philadelphia-Area Fall CSA Programs You Can Join This Season
Balance out your PSL habits with copious amounts of locally grown produce this season with the help of these Philly-area fall CSA options.
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Here’s an example of a fall CSA from Greensgrow Farms, which they actually call their winter farm share. Photograph by Bryn Ashburn.
Sure, summer produce gets allllll the attention for it’s brightness and refreshing flavors, but the fruits of fall and winter harvest are nothing to scoff at either. Just imagine all of the comforting and warming dishes you’ll be whipping up this season with squash, root vegetables, and Brussels sprouts. YUM.
Get the farm-fresh hook up for this season’s bounty by checking out this handy-dandy list of nine local CSAs. Not familiar with a CSA? Fret not, here’s the scoop: CSA stands for community-supported agriculture and allows community members to, essentially, purchase a share of a farm for the season. In return, they get a weekly (or bi-weekly) box of locally grown fruits and vegetables. 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 and even what items you want in your share.
Sign up now to get your hands on some delicious and nutritious fuel for the season with these nine local fall CSAs!
Fall CSA Programs Near Philadelphia
Anchor Run Farm
What you get: Choose which size fits your budget and needs and let the farm fresh produce roll in. An added bonus of this CSA program is the on-farm events like potluck dinners and free educational workshops.
Harvest season: Two six-week share options, one for late fall which runs from mid-November through late- December and one for winter starting in late-December and ending in mid-February.
Pick-up: There are three options for pick-up throughout the week at the farm (2578 Second Street Pike, Wrightstown).
Cost: Ranges from $100 for a half share to $180 for a full share.
Crawford Organics
What to expect: Offering fairly standard weekly CSA options, a small, large and mini share options filled with fresh seasonal veggies, you can step up your order with the addition of an egg, yogurt, or fruit share.
Harvest Season: The fall CSA runs 16 weeks from the first week of September through December.
Pick-up: If you’re in the city, the pickup is in either West Philly or Fairmount. Pick-up sites also include Conshohocken, Narbeth, Chestnut Hill, and at the farm in East Earl. For a list of all locations, click here.
Cost: A share for 16 weeks is $528, and a bi-weekly share includes eight boxes for $264. Mini boxes cost $352 weekly or $176 biweekly. 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.
Green Aisle Grocery
What to expect: Every share includes local, organic fruits, veggies, eggs, and yogurt, as well as a mix of cheese, meat, bread, granola, and other house-made goodies. They produce artisanal foods like preserves and bean-to-bar chocolate that aren’t normally found in CSA shares.
Harvest season: The autumn share CSA from September to November and the winter CSA runs from January through March.
Pick-up: Pick-ups are on the 1st and 15th of each month at one of their Philly locations: Graduate Hospital and East Passyunk.
Cost: $300 for six bi-monthly shares.
Greensgrow Farms
What you get: Based on your dietary preferences, choose from their meat, veggie and vegan share options — the veggie and vegan shares come in a small and large, and you’d better believe there are ample add on options. Spice things up with a bread, coffee, or artisanal cheese share as well.
Harvest season: There are 11 biweekly pick-ups between December 1 and April 27. Sign-ups for the winter season are open in early October.
Pick-up: Pick-ups are made at their greenhouse on 2501 East Cumberland Street in Fishtown as well as Center City, West and South Philadelphia. You can learn more about their locations here.
Cost: $550 for a meat share ($50 per share), $495 for a large vegetarian/vegan share ($45 per share), and $390 for a small vegetarian/vegan share ($35.45 per share).
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 berries, greens, eggplant, root veggies, and more. An email goes out every week outlining what’s in this week’s share and, 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. See other pickup locations here.
Cost: No major upfront costs here; just pay as you go. Share prices usually run between $20 and $40.
Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative
What to expect: With three pages of share options, you’ll surely be able to find one that suits you based off of your preferred dietary habits. Boasting vegan options, meat options, and even a gluten-free bread share, there’s something for everyone.
Harvest season: Six weeks, starting the week of November 5 and ending the week of December 17.
Pick-up: You can grab your box in Rittenhouse, Ardmore, Wynnewood, and other locations.
Cost: A large share is $230, and a medium share is $168. An eight-week share of the “Omnivore it!” is $182, and the “Veganize it!” is $115.50.
Philly Foodworks
What to expect: For this rolling farm share program, you can order your share separately each week with no commitment for the rest of the season. You’re also able to subscribe to a handful of shares or shop a la carte.
Harvest season: Philly Foodworks delivers year-round and will be delivering shares every week of the fall and winter.
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 averages $35 per week, and a large averages $45 per week, depending on contents. Cost of add-on shares varies. You can choose to prepay or pay every time you check out.
Red Earth Farm
What to expect: Red Earth Farm is another flexible CSA that offers customizable shares including full, partial economy, and bulk sizes. All you have to do is create an account, purchase a share, and choose your produce each week.
Harvest season: The extended fall season begins on November 12 and runs for six weeks.
Pick-up: The farm has plenty of pick-up locations including Bethlehem, Mt. Airy, Ardmore, West Philly, Fairmount and more.
Cost: $245 for a six-week full share.
Taproot Farm
What to expect: A winter vegetable share includes five veggies, delivered to you weekly. They also offer additional shares of mushrooms, dairy, apples, eggs, and bread. Plus, at the beginning of each week, Taproot will email you with the list of veggies you’ll be receiving, and they even give recipes and cooking tips.
Harvest season: Six weeks that goes from November 14 through December 19.
Pick-up: Taproot offers 12 pick-up locations, including Ardmore, East Passyunk, Old City, and more.
Cost: $180 for the vegetable share and additional shares vary in price.