What is a CSA?
"Community Supported Agriculture", or CSA for short, consists of a community of individuals who pledge to support a local farm, providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production.
CSA members pay and agreed amount at the beginning of the growing season (either in one lump sum or installments). This upfront payment helps the farm buy seed and other necessary resources to start the season, which enables them to concentrate less on marketing and more on growing their crop.
In return for their membership and support, CSA members receive a weekly or bi-weekly 'farm share' of freshly picked seasonal vegetables.
For more information about CSA's, see: https://www.nal.usda.gov/farms-and-agricultural-production-systems/community-supported-agriculture
What Farm do you currently participate with?
Kew Gardens CSA partners with the Garden of Eve Organic Farm & Market, a certified-organic farm on Long Island. The farmers are Chris & Eve Kaplan-Walbrecht.
Be sure to like them on Facebook, and check out their website for upcoming events. “Know your farmer, know your food.”
What kind of vegetables can I expect?
Check out the list of past distributions for examples of the wide variety of fresh seasonal produce you'll receive.
Garden of Eve Farm is certified organic by the Northeast Organic Farmers’ Association of New York (NOFA-NY). Food grown on the farm and distributed by the CSA is certified-organic, including fruit grown on the farm (berries, melons).
It is important to note that SOME FRUIT distributed by CSA MAY NOT BE ORGANIC, due to challenges of growing fruit in this region. It would be “low-spray.” Be assured the farm sources fruit from farmers it knows and trusts.
How do I sign up?
See https://gardenofevefarm.com/csa/ for more information on signing up.
Please note that Kew Gardens does NOT have a Winter/Spring share in 2023/24 -- we'll be resuming in June of 2024 for the Summer/Fall Season.
Is there a Membership Fee?
A $15 membership fee for the Kew Gardens CSA helps us pay for general operating expenses such as tables, a canopy, supplies, promotional materials, and other incidental expenses.
After you sign up with the farm (they will charge an admin fee of their own to cover their incidental, CSA-related expenses) you will receive a welcome letter explaining that you can pay the KGCSA Membership Fee before or at the first pickup.
How does the volunteer shift work?
CSA members are required to give time–less than 4 hours–at pickup to help set up, check members in, and close up. We will have a system for members to select dates that they prefer to work.
What if I feel I cannot afford it? Is there help?
The farm offers a range of plans at various prices. And, it offers an extended payment plan of three payments over three months.
The KGCSA has a Scholarship/Subsidy program. The Core Group, through the generosity of the farm, sets aside a limited number of biweekly shares of vegetables which we assign to members who might not otherwise be able to join.
If you think this might be right for you, please contact us by email and you will receive information on criteria and the application process. Confidentiality is assured. Talk to us, please.
Be sure to check our Members Options page for more information on the KGCSA Scholarship/Subsidized Shares program.
Will I get help with all of this food -- how to cook and prepare it, etc.?
Members can share recipes and tips during the lively discussions at our distribution site, as well as in our KGCSA Members Facebook Group.
The farm provides recipes in its weekly newsletter and you are encouraged to join the Garden of Eve Organic Farm members FaceBook group as well. And, we will provide important information on storing and preserving your share—as these veggies do not have chemicals!
What is the Subsidized Share Program?
The subsidized share program is a way to make fresh, organic, local produce available to those with limited incomes.
Subsidized shares are made possible through the generosity of Garden of Eve and the core group, and are given out on an as-needed basis, to the extent that we can afford to subsidize them.
Interested individuals are invited to submit a request via the form at the bottom of this page. The request should outline the reason for the request. Referrals of candidates by CSA members are especially welcome.
Anyone can apply for a subsidized share, and all applications are reviewed with respect to the confidentiality of the applicants by a small committee of core members. The enrollment period ends on June 16th.
Subsidized shares are given out on the honor system, although the core group reserves the right to request supporting documents.
The following considerations will inform the selection of candidates:
- Hardship at the time of the application
- Time of the receipt of the application
- Qualification for government assistance such as WIC, EBT, or disability (SSI)
- A total household income equal to or below the amount indicated in the chart below
Household
(the number of people eating the share -whether or not they are related)
Income
(Household’s total pre-tax income from all sources)
1 $20,000
2 $27,000
3 $34,000
4 $41,000
5 $48,000
6 $55,000
