Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs are a great option for the adventurous who really enjoy farm-fresh produce. A CSA is a sort of cooperative between the farm and individual subscribers. You subscribe for a season (generally 4-8 weeks depending on the cooperative) and, in return, you receive a weekly or monthly basket of fresh produce, fruits, flowers, eggs, milk or other farm products. A number of CSA program, in all shapes and sizes, are available in the greater Pittsburgh area.
This certified organic vegetable farm in Natrona Heights runs the Two Farms CSA, which offers a wide variety of certified organic vegetables and herbs for weekly or every-other-week pickup at the farm. A small bouquet of flowers is also included each week, and other items are available for purchase such as free range chicken and eggs. Pickups usually begin the last week of May and run for 20 consecutive weeks.
Cherry Valley Community Farm near Burgettstown is a certified organic producer of cut flowers, berries, herbs and vegetables. They offer two types of CSA membership: produce and flower bouquet on a subscription or completely a-la-carte basis. You order what you want when you want it, for delivery or pickup at several Pittsburgh area locations.
This third-generation family-owned fruit and vegetable farm located in Gibsonia runs a successful CSA program. The 22-week program offers three different share sizes - Large (feeds a family of 3-5), Biweekly (same size as the large, but every other week), and Small (feeds a family of 2-3). Pickup locations in Oakland, Regent Square, Sewickley, Mt. Lebanon, Fox Chapel, Wexford and in Gibsonia at the farm.
A recent addition to the Pittsburgh CSA market, Goose Creek Gardens outside of Oakdale offers organic spring greens and herbs each week in April and May. Pick up is on weekends at the farm from early April through early June. Their spring greens and other produce can also be found for sale at several Pittsburgh area Farmer's Markets.
"We picked it fresh for you today," is the motto of this Butler County farm. Their CSA program offers weekly pickup at seven neighborhood locations -- Highland Park, Squirrel Hill, Regent Square, Cranberry, Aspinwall, Chatham College and Carnegie Mellon University -- as well as at the farm. This 24-week CSA offers an online application and online payment too!
This Butler farm offers two levels of CSA to choose from - a full share with weekly pickup or half share with every other week pickup. The on-farm CSA pickup runs much like a farmer's market, with members able to choose their own individual items.
This small 5-acre city farm specializes in heirloom and specialty vegetables, including over 20 varieties of heirloom tomatoes. CSA pickup is at the farm in the Stanton Heights area of Pittsburgh. This is a small CSA, so sign up early!
This 80 acre farm located near Zelienople in Beaver County provides Pittsburgh area customers with organically grown produce, fruits and meats, in cooperation with several other area farms and some Amish families. This allows for a wider variety of products than provided by most western PA CSA programs. Three share sizes for weekly delivery to dozens of neighborhood drop-off sites from June to Thanksgiving.
Pittsburgh area residents can score just-picked produce and specialty items from local farms every week delivered to neighborhoods all over Pittsburgh and the suburbs through the Penn's Corner CSA. Those who join can pick up a box of seasonal farm-fresh produce at a location near them every Tuesday or Wednesday (depending on the neighborhood), beginning April 9. You can purchase shares for 10, 20 or 30 weeks from April - October. This CSA is great for Downtown Pittsburgh workers and residents because they deliver to the Gulf Tower each week!
Greensburg family farm sells its fresh vegetables, fruits, and even honey through it's CSA program and local Farmer's Markets. The 20-week or 24-week CSA can be purchased online. Pickup at the farm, or at locations in Murrysville, Plum Boro and Regent Square.
