CSA GUIDE

CSA: The Importance of Community-Supported Agriclture

CSA Information + Cooking Classes

By Nancy Painter / Photography By Rob Yaskovic | April 01, 2021

Left: The CSG at Genesis Farm; Right: Alstede Farms

A year of Covid-19 pandemic has increased the importance and popularity of community- supported agriculture (CSA) harvest subscription programs across the Garden State and the nation. The CSA model, which has been gaining momentum since the 1980s, helps farmers by giving them an early-season infusion of operating cash while benefiting consumers by assuring them a reliable supply of fresh, local, quality food.

Members of a CSA support the farmer before the growing season, either by paying a one-time fee or committing to a series of installments. In exchange, the farmer provides an abundance of Jersey Fresh produce and other add-ons, usually in weekly boxes, to members throughout harvest.

It’s a win-win arrangement even in the best of times. In 2020, however, the benefits of the CSA concept became more apparent than ever with the rise of Covid-19. When concerns about food access and food security took hold early in the pandemic, consumers increasingly turned to area farms to serve or supplement their household’s weekly food supplies. Garden State farmers stepped up by providing more CSA options and new variations on the model, including online ordering, increased subscription choices, year-round availability, expanded pickup locations, and home delivery.

New Jersey residents enjoy relatively close proximity to farms statewide. The pandemic reinforced the importance of this access. The opportunity to invest in our farming community, sustain it for the future, and enjoy a relationship built on the adage of “know your farmer, know your food,” has become more essential than ever.

Farms throughout the state are currently accepting CSA membership for the 2021 season, and our partner CSA farms are listed on these pages. Visit websites for more info, join a CSA, and support New Jersey’s outstanding farms.

Left: Blue Moon Acres (photo courtesy of Paul S. Bartholomew Photography); Right: Jeff’s Organic Produce at Highland Park farmers’ market

Check out the Edible Jersey 2021 CSA Guide

Wightman Farms

Monthly CSA Cooking Class:
Celebrating 50 Years of Organic Farming and Farmers
Second Thursday of each month from April–September, 6–7:15pm. Remote (Zoom)

As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey (NOFA-NJ) is hosting a series designed to introduce attendees to organic farms and farmers and to provide guidance on how to cook from the farms’ CSA shares. The cooking class portion of the evening will be taught by Kim Rizk, NOFA-NJ board member and co-owner of Jammin’ Crepes in Princeton, known for showcasing seasonal ingredients from local farms in its menu of sweet and savory crepes. Tickets: Single ($15 member; $20 nonmember) or full series ($60 member; $100 nonmember). Register at nofanj.org.

Featured farms (as of press time) include:

April 8: Kathy and Jim Lyons, Blue Moon Acres

May 13: Mark Canright and Amy Hansen, Comeback Farm

June 10: Sherry Dudas and Jim Kinsel, Honey Brook Organic Farm

July 8: Karley Corris and Jeff Lidzbarski of Jeff’s Organics

August 12: TBD

September 9: Mike Baki, Genesis Farm

EDITOR’S NOTE: CSA membership not required to participate in the class.

Left: Sassafras Hill Farm; Right: Dreyer Farms