Answers to Some Common Questions:
What is a CSA?
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) consists of a community of individuals who commit to sharing the benefits and risks of farming, and in return enjoy fresh vegetables at a great value and a special relationship with a farm.
In the spring, CSA members buy a "share" of the farm's produce which helps cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation and pay the farmer a living wage. In return, members receive shares in the farm's bounty throughout the growing season, as well as satisfaction gained from participating directly in food production on farm visits and helping build a more local and equitable agricultural system.
Your commitment to a local farm, as a CSA member, allows growers like Garden of Eve Farm to maintain productive and profitable small farms and ensures the survival of local agriculture today and for future generations.
When and where can I pick up my share?
On Wednesdays between the hours of 4 and 7pm in the chapel at First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn. Enter Pierrepont between Clinton Street and Monroe Place. Please bring your own bag(s) for picking up your produce.
In good weather, we may be outside; in the rain, snow or cold, we'll be indoors in the prettiest distribution site in town!
What happens if I don't pick up my share?
If you'll be away and can't pick up your share, you may have someone else pick it
up for you. If a share isn't picked up during the distribution time, it will be
donated to a local charity.
What makes Garden of Eve organic produce special?
At Garden of Eve Farm, they operate as sustainably as possible, and grow an incredible diversity of plants. They have 70 varieties of vegetables, 20 varieties of herbs, and 30 varieties of flowers. They use NO poisonous pesticides or herbicides. Instead they rely on plants’ natural defense systems and ecological solutions to solve pest problems.
They are different from many typical farms, which are based on the practice of monocropping - growing many acres of just one crop. Single-crop farms often rely on large amounts of chemical pesticides and herbicides, which have been shown to increase the risk of cancer and to cause other chronic health problems. You’ll also notice the difference when you taste organic! Garden of Eve produce has deliciously intense, sweeter flavors than conventionally grown produce.
How do I know that the produce is organic?
Garden of Eve Farm, LLC is certified by a third-party certifier, NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC. The use of synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides is prohibited in Certified Organic Production. If you opt for a fruit share, you should know that fruits are very fresh and flavorful, but are not organic. They are grown on Garden of Eve's next-door neighbor’s farm using lots of compost and low-spray techniques. (It's near impossible to grow organic fruit in New York State)
How much produce will I get each week?
7-8 items per week, includes enough vegetables for two large vegetarian meals per week, for a family - or sides for the whole week. During the summer
and autumn months, the boxes are much fuller than during the first few weeks
in the spring. If you are a large family eating a primarily vegetarian diet, you
might consider ordering more than one full share.
What types of vegetables can I expect to find in my box?
It depends on the season. Vegetables may include heirloom tomatoes, mesclun salad mix, zucchini, baby corn, summer squash, cucumbers, lettuces, beets, carrots, plus pumpkins, gourds, winter squash.
What if I don't want a certain type of vegetable?
We will have a "Produce Exchange Box" on site during the pick-up hours at First Unitarian. Put in the vegetable you don't want, and take a different type to replace it from the box.
Can I "share" a share?
If you think you can't eat a full share's worth, feel free to find a friend to share your share with. Please complete one membership form, and note who you are sharing with. If you are interested in sharing but don't have anyone to share with, send us an email. When we hear from at least one other person interested in sharing a share, we'll put you in contact with each other. (Please Note: We limit ourselves to letting people know of others interested in sharing. You are responsible for working out details yourselves and resolving any differences you may have on your own.)
What's involved with volunteering?
In order to keep the group running, we ask each member to volunteer at 2 distributions through the season or in some other capacity. Volunteer sign-ups will happen at the first distribution.
Is there risk involved in becoming a member?
One aspect of CSA is that members support their farmer by sharing in the inherent risks of agriculture (poor weather, drought, crop failure, etc.) and the rewards (organic, exceptionally fresh vegetables, the bounty of a good season, etc.) involved in farming. CSA farmers purposely plan for such contingencies; the farmers use growing techniques that protect the harvest to minimize the risk and optimize the rewards. On the whole members will get a wide variety of vegetables in plentiful amounts.