Spring might have had a late start this year, but that doesn’t mean New Jersey residents can’t take advantage of all the fresh produce this great state has to offer! The Garden State’s peak harvest is in full throttle, meaning it’s time to claim a spot on a New Jersey farm CSA.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), also known as a farm share, is an opportunity for regular folk to eat locally and support farms—in this case, Jersey farms. Through CSA programs, local farmers sell off shares of their crops to the community. In return, shareholders receive farm fresh produce throughout the season. Most CSA programs provide a consistent flow of boxed fruits and vegetables, with some offering unique shares that include meat, cheese, eggs, flowers, and homemade products such as baked goods, condiments, or even entire meal kits.
With so many farms in New Jersey, the Jersey Bites team knows the task of choosing the best CSA program can be daunting. We’ve compiled a list of Jersey’s freshest farm share programs being offered during the 2019 season.
North Jersey
Alstede Farms, Chester
With the ability to flexibly choose from the spring, summer, or fall seasons, Alstede Farms shareholders can expect a variety of harvest bounty and length of harvest depending on preference. Regardless of whether you prefer spring berries and stone fruits or summer tomatoes and corn, CSA program members receive a weekly box of fresh produce available for pick up at the farm, specified farmer’s markets, or local chapter hosts. All produce is sustainably home-grown and certified organic. Full, half, and personal shares available.
Growing: strawberries, peas, raspberries, blueberries, beans, peaches, blackberries, peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, flowers, potatoes, apples, pumpkins, eggs.
Alstede Farms
1 Alstede Farms Ln.
Chester, NJ 07390
908-528-8823
Bracco Farms, Cedar Grove
Bracco Farms pickups are in Cedar Grove, NJ, with all yields grown at the farm in Pine Island, NY.
Enjoy the “taste of the sun” when Bracco Farms becomes shareholders’ private farmer. Based in Cedar Grove and growing in New York, Bracco Farms boasts a farm-to-table experience that features sustainably grown non-GMO fresh vegetables, herbs, and fruits. All bounty is exclusively grown on the farm. Shareholders pick up bi-weekly small-batch boxes throughout a 20 week period. Full and half shares available.
Growing: peas, kale, arugula, spinach, lettuce, escarole, turnips, parsnips, cilantro, basil, dill, parsley, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, corn, onions, carrots, beans, beets, eggs.
Bracco Farms
876 Country Rd. 1
Pine Island, NY 10969
201-401-3449
info@braccofarms.com
Donaldson Farms, Hackettstown
Donaldson Farms’ CSA program is dubbed the Healthy Bites Buying Club; A 16-week program where shareholders receive the freshest non-GMO fruits and vegetables, paired with selected local goodies each week. Shareholders can expect premium and purely local products from Donaldson Farms and surrounding family farm partners. Five convenient and flexible weekly pick up and delivery options. Becoming a Donaldson Farms shareholder doesn’t stop having its benefits at receiving premium produce; Member perks are available! “Full bite,” “half bite,” “single bite,” egg, and cheese share options.
Growing: apples, cantaloupes, corn, cucumbers, eggplants, honey, garlic, herbs, lettuce, peaches, peppers, potatoes, squash, tomatoes, zucchini, eggs, cheese.
Donaldson Farms
385 Allen Rd.
Hackettstown, NJ 07840
908-852-9122
healthybitesbuyingclub@donaldsonfarms.net
Dreyer Farms, Cranford
Offering to become any family’s farmer, Dreyer Farms’ CSA program features 27 weeks of the freshest assortment of local produce from Dreyer Farms surrounding pratners. Each box contains a Dreyer Flyer with convenient recipe suggestions for weekly yields, in case shareholders are unsure of what to do with the crazier veggies. Multiple unique share options available, including small and medium, meal kit, and flower shares.
Growing: apples, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, corn, cranberries, peaches, nectarines, pears, plums, strawberries, arugula, asparagus, beans, beets, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, chard, chinese cabbage, collards, cucumbers, dandelion greens, eggplant, garlic, herbs, kale, leeks, lettuce, lima beans, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsnips, peas, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, radish, scallions, squash, spinach, tat soi, tomatoes, turnips.
Dreyer Farms
831 Springfield Ave.
Cranford, NJ 07016
908-276-1290
dreyerfarms1904@gmail.com
Genesis Farm, Blairstown
Genesis Farm’s community-supported garden is one of the oldest operating farm share programs in the nation, founded in 1988 as a creative response to less-than-environmentally-friendly corporate farming practices. The farm operates year-round and yields sustainable, biodynamic, and chemical-free seasonal fruits and vegetables, in addition to fresh herbs, flowers, and pick-your-own seasonal specialties. Most of the weekly or bi-weekly shares offered by Genesis Farm are large enough to feed families of over four. Full year, half year, and Winter shares available. Delivery and pick up options.
Growing: arugula, beans, beets, bok choy, broccoli, broccoli rabe, brussels sprouts, cabbage, chinese cabbage, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, claytonia, collard greens, corn, cucumber, dandelion greens, eggplant, endive/escarole, fennel, flowers, garlic, kale, kiwi, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mache, melons, mesclun, mizuna, mustard greens, onions, parsnip, paw paw fruit, peaches, pears, peas, hot peppers, sweet peppers, potatoes, radicchio, radish, raspberries, blackberries, rhubarb, rutabaga, scallion, spinach, sauerkraut, squash, strawberries, Swiss chard, tatsoi, tomatoes, turnips, basil, chives, cilantro, dill, marjoram, mint, catnip, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, savory, sorrel, thyme.
Genesis Farm
41A Silver Lake Rd.
Blairstown, NJ 07825
908-362-7486
csgardeninfo@gmail.com
Central Jersey
Abe’s Acres Farm, Hightstown
Abe’s Acres Farm location is not open to the public.
Abe’s Acres Farm strives to give shareholders the experience of direct food production and distribution by connecting farmers and consumers. CSA members receive 24 weekly shares of a vast variety of local family farm products from Abe’s Acres’ partners, including vegetables, baked goods, cheese, eggs, oats, and home made artisan items. All partners practice sustainable and cruelty-free methods.
Available: vegetables, salsa, sauces, and pickles from Abe’s Acres, bread from LiLLiPiES Bakery, cheese and cage-free eggs from Cherry Valley Co-op, and oats from Morganics Family Farm.
Abe’s Acres Farm
Hightstown, NJ
609-477-2016
abesacresfarm@gmail.com
Cherry Grove Organic Farm, Lawrenceville
Cherry Grove Organic Farm offers a unique CSA experience known as the Barn Market. After paying for a share, shareholders receive funded farm accounts with 20%, 25%, or 30% credit increases based on share type. Markets are set up twice a week at the farm where members can shop from what is available and choose from any quantity or type of product anytime throughout the harvest. Fresh picked organic vegetables is what Cherry Grove is best known for, but they also also offer herbs and flowers. Multiple share options.
Growing: salad mix, kale, arugula, mixed greens, spinach, radish, head lettuce, beets, broccoli, cabbage, scallions, carrots, summer squash, potatoes, onions, garlic, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplant, watermelon, winter squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, flowers, beans, peas, hot peppers, culinary herbs.
Cherry Grove Organic Farm
11 Carter Rd.
Princeton, NJ 08540
609-306-5139
cherrygroveorganic@gmail.com
Dogwood Farms, Hillsborough
Meat and veggie shares are the bread and butter of Dogwood Farms, where certified organic and sustainable produce is harvested. Shareholders receive weekly bounty for five months, and have the ability to extend their season by five weeks. Pickups at Dogwood Farms are run market style, allowing shareholders to choose what they bring home every week. All meat and produce is certified organic and raised at Dogwood Farms. Multiple meat and vegetable share options.
Growing: beets, spinach, sweet potatoes, leeks, potatoes, broccoli rabe, salad greens, arugula, kale, Swiss chard, turnips, cabbage, lettuce, garlic, blueberries, zucchini, cucumbers, onions, fennel, scallions, apples, chicken, pork, lamb, beef, salsa, herbs, flowers.
Dogwood Farms
406 New Center Rd.
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
908-337-7789
Mendies Farm, Roosevelt
All natural growing techniques are used at Mendies Farm, a small, sustainable, four-season farm that promotes a personal relationship between farmers and shareholders. Mendies Farm stands out from others by practicing diversified growing methods and focusing on biodiversity in order to combat corporate farming practices that exacerbate climate change. Shareholders receive weekly boxes of a variety of produce, and can enjoy U-pick privileges by filling baskets and bags with Mendies farm-fresh produce. Flexible season options are available.
Growing: arugula, beets, bok choy, carrots, dandelion greens, kale, fennel, leeks, lettuce, mesclun mix, mustard greens, radicchio, radish, spinach, Swiss chard, turnips, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, cucumber, dandelion, dill, eggplant, peppers, squash, yu choi sum, tomatoes, basil, beans, cilantro, okra, onions, parsley, peas, pickles, scallion, melon, watermelon.
Mendies Farm
65 N. Rochdale Ave.
Roosevelt, NJ 08555
609-820-8809
Lmendies1@gmail.com
South Jersey
A.T. Buzby Farm, Woodstown
On a mission to reverse the trend of farming for global capitalism, where food is shipped from farms elsewhere and imported into grocery stores rather than going to the community, A.T. Buzby Farm wants to fill dinner tables with farm fresh nutritious produce. This working family farm provides shareholders with the opportunity to reconnect with the seasonal nature of food through a 20 week supply of locally grown produce. Shareholders can visit the farm and get their boxed shares on multiple pickup days throughout the week. Full and half shares available.
Growing: apples, asparagus, beets, blueberries, broccoli, broccoli rabe, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, escarole, fennel, flowers, green beans, herbs, kale, kiwi berries, kohlrabi, lettuce, melons, onions, peaches, peas, peppers, plums, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, scallions, shallots, spinach, squash, strawberries, Swiss chard, tomatoes, turnips, watermelon.
A.T. Buzby Farm
21 Black Rd.
Pilesgrove, NJ 08098
856-769-2242
martie@buzbyfarm.com
Cecil Creek Farm, Mickleton
Becoming a part of Cecil Creek Farms’ Organic Veggie share program means becoming part of the farm. Members are supplied with a weekly supply of certified organic vegetables from Cecil Creek Farm and their sister farm, Summer Wind Farm. Both farms use growing techniques that ensure a consistent harvest. Shareholders receive multiple member benefits, and can visit the farm on designated pick up days to take home their boxed shares. Multiple u-pick options are available each week. Member benefits. Multiple share and season options.
Growing: Arugula, beans, beets, bok choy, broccoli, broccoli rabe, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, collard greens, corn, cucumber, eggs, eggplant, endive, escarole, fennel, kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, mustard greens, okra, onions, peas, peppers, pickles, potatoes, pumpkins, radish, scallion, spinach, squash, sweet potato, Swiss chard, tomato, turnip, herbs.
Cecil Creek Farm
73 Democrat Rd.
Mickleton, NJ 08056
856-599-8925
Summer Wind Farms, Newfield
Summer Wind Farms’ market CSA program lets shareholders choose their own produce for 18 weeks. On-site CSA chef Pat Mulvey offers four recipes per week, based on what is in boxed shares. Members offered a weekly supply of a wide variety of certified organic vegetables from Summer Wind Farms and their sister farm, Cecil Creek Farm. Both farms employ growing techniques that ensure a consistent harvest. Flexible season and food options, with separate vegetable and fruit shares available.
Growing: Arugula, beets, bok choy, braising greens mix, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, carrots, collards, corn, cucumbers, dandelion greens, eggplant, escarole, endive, fennel, herbs, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, leeks, mizuna, okra, onions, peas, peppers, potatoes, radishes, salad mix, scallions, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, Swiss chard, tatsoi, tomatoes, turnips.
Summer Wind Farms
1745 Piney Hollow Rd.
Newfield, NJ 08344
summerwindfarmsCSA@gmail.com
Sassafras Hill Farm, Barnegat
The Farmer’s Friend and Beach Season shares offered by Sassafras Hill Farm gives shareholders direct access to high quality, fresh produce grown by small farmers. Members have the choice between two seasons, 11 weeks or 23 weeks, of everything Sassafras Hill Farm grows throughout the year. The weekly crop schedule is already laid out, so shareholders know exactly what to expect from their weekly boxes.
Growing: arugula, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, chard, collard greens, eggplant, garlic, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, melons, peas, peppers, okra, onions, radish, rutabaga, scallions, spinach, squash, tomatoes, turnips.
Sassafras Hill Farm
184 Route 72 West
Barnegat, NJ 08005
609-698-1110
farmer@sassafrashillfarm.com