What is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)?
CSA is a mutual relationship between a local farm and the community that consumes its produce. The members pay a fee to cover the cost of producing the food and in turn receive a weekly share of the harvest during the growing season.
This arrangement guarantees the farmer financial support and allows many small to medium scale organic farms to remain in business. It benefits the members by knowing the person who is growing their food and by receiving their food straight from the farm.
Another characteristic of CSA is the agreement to pay in advance for a predetermined amount of produce. In most cases, this commitment implies a willingness to share with the farmer both the harvest from the land and at least some of the inherent risks of production.
Participation in a CSA leads to a deeper understanding of the effort it takes to produce quality food and our dependence upon God to sustain us.
When does the season start? How long will it last?
The Winter CSA has two different start dates. The Early Start Winter begins the 23rd of October and continues till the first of May (a total of 26 weeks). The Standard Winter season runs from the first of January to the first of May (a total of 18 weeks).
The Spring/Summer CSA begins the second week of May and continues till the end of August (a total of 16 weeks). We also offer a 4-week Early Start option for the month of April. The Summer CSA with the Early Start option runs for 20 weeks (April through August).
The Fall CSA begins the last week of August and continues till the end of December (a total of 16 weeks).
What is a share and how does it work?
As a member of Crawford Organics Summer CSA you will receive a weekly box with an assortment of in-season fresh vegetables. Each box will contain an average of 8 items (See winter, spring/summer, or fall for a list of items). The quantities are designed for 2-4 people, depending on menu preferences. The box may not supply all your vegetable needs, depending on your normal vegetable consumption.
You will pick up your vegetables once a week (every other week for a half share) either at the farm or at one of our dropsites.
What if I go on vacation?
If you plan to be away certain weeks, and you can let us know when you sign up; there will be a deduction for the weeks you are gone (see Winter Vacation, Spring/Summer Vacation, or Fall Vacation). If after you sign up, you realize you will be away some week; there will be no refunds, but you may either have a neighbor pick up your box for you, or you may pick up two boxes one week and skip the previous or subsequent week. To double a week and skip one, you must give us one week advance notice by either e-mail or phone.
We harvest an exact amount of produce for each week’s boxes. Therefore if you fail to pick your box up within the designated time without informing us in advance; we will donate it to a worthy recipient.
Other additional Shares:
Eggs
Please Note: We are taking a one year break between flocks of our pastured laying hens. We won't have our pastured organic eggs till the Winter season of 2013.
We also offer certified organic eggs from our pastured hens. The hens have daily access to roam the fresh grass around their portable house. It is enjoyable to watch and listen to the hens forage while the roosters stand guard and crow their own praises.
A full share of eggs consists of one dozen every week. While a part share is one dozen every other week.
Prices
Please see our Prices page for the current CSA prices.
Discounts
* For a list of all our discounts, click here.
Current Dropsites:*
Farm:
387 Iron Bridge Rd
East Earl, PA 17519
Tuesdays 2:30-7:30pm
Ephrata:
Meadow Run Farm
727 Rettew Mill Rd.
Lititz, PA 17543
Tuesdays 2:30-7:00pm
Mohnton/Shillington:
24 West Summit
Mohnton, PA 19540
Tuesdays 3:00-7:30pm
Philadelphia (Center City)**:
2046 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA
Tuesdays 12:00-7:00pm
1424 South Street
Philadelphia, PA
Tuesdays 12:00-7:00pm
**These dropsites are outside the free 20 mile delivery area. There is an additional $2/box delivery fee.
Potential Dropsites:*
Leola/East Lampeter:
2171 Meadow Ridge Dr
Lancaster, PA 17601
Tuesdays 4:30-8:00pm
* "Current Dropsites" are ones we are delivering to currently. "Potential Dropsites" are ones we will deliver to if there is enough interest in that area. We will also consider other locations if there are at least 10 interested people at that location. Please contact us with any questions you may have.
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* Please see our Winter, Spring/Summer, or Fall pages for specific CSA information.
* To go to our signup form, click local or surrounding areas.
* For a printable version of our current flyer, click local or surrounding areas.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
