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Two CSAs have spots available

When I first moved to Brooklyn, I was initiated into a whole new world of  food coops, Greenmarkets and CSAs. Though the Park Slope Food Coop intimidated the heck out of me (and still does) and though the Greenmarkets have become a weekend ritual for us, I haven’t ventured out into the land of CSAs.  I got a couple of emails in the  last week about CSA openings (and spots can be rare) so I wanted to get the word out as soon as possible.
CSA is Community Supported Agriculture and basically means when you join one, you are purchasing a share of food from a regional farm or farmer. From June until October or November, the farmer will deliver your goods to a neighborhood drop-off location and you get your weekly or bi-weekly share. If you find you don’t want a large share you can split them too. Think: fresh berries, broccoli, flowers, meat, eggs and even, yes, fiddleheads!
There are loads of CSAs in Brooklyn. To find one just put your zip code in at this CSA in NYC website.

New CSA- Local Roots

There is a new upcoming CSA that has locations in Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill / Boerum Hill, Williamsburg, and Tribeca.  The Local Roots CSA is he first of its kind as members can pick and choose from a variety of share products, which means members can get the week’s groceries all at one CSA location.  They also offer payment flexibitility.

Here’s how it works:
Members have the opportunity to pick and choose product shares, allowing members to pick up a week’s worth of fresh, locally grown groceries at one distribution location.  They offer vegetable, fruit, duck, beef, egg, grain/bean, juice, and/or bread options.  Their summer season runs from June – August, so members pay upfront for 12 weeks of produce as opposed to 24 weeks (don’t worry, they will have a Fall CSA as well).  By paying for half a season upfront, it can be more affordable to invest in a CSA.

To join:
Check out all the details on the website and sign up for shares before they are sold out!  Membership applications are due May 23, 2011.

Ditmas Park CSA

This neighborhood CSA offers fresh local vegetables delivered to your area every week.  The season is 20 weeks long, begins around June and ends around October.

Here’s how it works:
Members receive a weekly box of their share of produce, a full share amounting to about enough vegetables to get fresh veggies into the diets of a family of four for the week. For a smaller family, it would mean vegetable-based meals for the week. While the shares are generally set, if someone really does not like eggplant, for example, they can tell our farmer and he will try his best to substitute it with something of a similar value. In addition to vegetables, the following add-ons are also available for an additional fee: Eggs, Extra Fruit (stone fruit including peaches, pears, apples, plums), Jarred Goods (honey, pickles, tomato sauce). Half shares receive approximately 60% of the amount of produce in a full share.   Depending on the week, half shares may not include every type of vegetable that a full share receives.

To join:
Go to their website for an application. This is the last chance to join for the 2011 season.  All membership applications must be in by April 15.