New CSA: North Star

Friday, March 07, 2008

Everyone is scrambling right now to choose the right CSA program.  It’s really cool that there are so many to choose from, and I’m pleased to say that we can throw another into the mix: North Star Orchards now has a produce CSA!

Lisa from North Star tells us “Our Fruit Share CSA(now entering its fifth year) has been very successful…people just love it!  So we’ve been increasing the memberships for that every year....Last year, we started diversifying our farm more by planting vegetables.  Naturally, CSA seemed the way to go with them, so we’ve started offering a Veggie Share this year as well, with a full range of veggies and two different share size options.”

The pick up locations for North Star’s produce CSA are Eagle, Havertown, Cochranville, and Philadelphia (Head House Square).  The share will run for 22 weeks beginning June 2. A full share is $700; half shares are available for $450.

Something I’ve not seen from any other CSA is North Star’s “Special Recipe Week”, where share owners will be provided with the ingredients and recipe - like tomato sauce during the height of tomato season.  That’s kind of a cool idea.

Obviously, CSA programs are a great way for farmers to ensure they get a fair price for their work, but consumers make out, too - simple from the perspective of freshness and variety.  Lisa says,

We like doing CSA because the produce is basically pre-sold.  This allows us to grow more heritage, heirloom, and sensitive (ie. can’t hold up well at market) varieties that people cannot get at regular market outlets.  We also know that the produce will be spoken for, even if it’s a rainy day…whereas at the regular farmers’ market, many folks won’t come to shop and a lot of produce gets wasted.

Staying connected with customers is very important to us.  Although we don’t get to necessarily see our CSA members because they pick up their shares at various sites, we do keep in contact with them by sending out a weekly email which details what’s in the share, what’s unusual about it, and how to use it….as well as including various articles about farm goings-on.  We often ask for feedback about various varieties or ask for recipes, etc.  To us, this connection with the people who are eating our fruit and veggies is very important…and makes the hard work in spring and summer so worthwhile!

I’ve long been a fan of North Star’s fruit - I’m sure the quality of their vegetables is outstanding, as well!  But if you’re interested, act quickly - shares are limited this year.