A community-supported agriculture program, or CSA, entails paying a local farm in advance for a recurring, usually weekly, share of its summer-to-fall harvest. The arrangement offers stability for farms—especially the mom-and-pops—as well as consumers, whose kitchens brim for months with fresh, healthy fruits, veggies and herbs. Compared to shopping in grocery stores—especially the non-mom-and-pops—it can feel transformative, connecting us to the land as well as the people who work it.
Most CSAs start producing in June, but, with limited availability, you shouldn’t wait that long to buy in. In order of driving distance from the center of New Haven, here are the eight closest CSAs I could find that, as of this writing, still have shares to claim:
Hindinger Farm
Location: 835 Dunbar Hill Rd, Hamden
Duration: June-November (22 weeks)
Price: $670 (full) or $490 (half), with add-ons available
Logistics: Farm pickup
Learn More: Details | Contact
Massaro Community Farm
Location: 41 Ford Rd, Woodbridge
Duration: June-October
Price: $745 (20-week) or $405 (10-week), with sliding-scale pricing and add-ons available
Logistics: Farm pickup or, for a fee, New Haven pickup
Learn More: Details | Contact
The Little Farm on the Hill
Location: 135 Pole Hill Rd, Bethany
Duration: June-September
Price: $240 (full)
Logistics: Farm pickup or possibly individual arrangement
Learn More: Details | Contact
Cecarelli’s Harrison Hill Farm
Location: 186 Old Post Rd, Northford
Duration: June-September (16 weeks)
Price: $720 (full), $510 (2/3) or $350 (1/3)
Logistics: Farm pickup
Learn More: Details | Contact
Bishop’s Orchards
Location: 1355 Boston Post Rd, Guilford
Duration: June-October (18 weeks)
Price: $700 (full) or $500 (2/3), with additional options available
Logistics: Farm pickup
Learn More: Details | Contact
Gazy Brothers Farm
Location: 391 Chestnut Tree Hill Rd, Oxford
Duration: May-November (24 weeks)
Price: $150/share (spring), $255/share (summer) and $255/share (fall), with additional options
Logistics: Farm pickup or Seymour Farmers’ Market pickup
Learn more: Details | Contact
Farmer Joe’s Gardens
Location: 109 Leigus Rd, Wallingford
Duration: May-September (16 weeks)
Price: $768 (“family”), $512 (full) or $368 (medium), with additional options available
Logistics: Farm pickup or, possibly, delivery for a fee
Learn More: Details | Contact
Lyman Orchards
Location: 32 Reeds Gap Rd, Middlefield
Duration: June-October (18 weeks)
Price: $795 (full), $595 (medium) or $375 (medium biweekly full-season or “harvest” half-season)
Logistics: Farm pickup, with the ability to choose the exactly items you take home
Learn More: Details | Contact
Written and photographed by Dan Mims. Image featurs lettuce not yet ready for harvest during a past growing season at Massaro Community Farm. Readers are encouraged to verify information before making a purchase.
