What’s a CSA?
CSA or Community Supported Agriculture is when members in a community buy a farm share in late winter and early spring, receiving weekly shares in the summer and fall. The CSA farm delivers each week’s harvest to a designated site where CSA members pick up their share of fresh food. Some CSAs have expanded offerings into the winter and provide a year round CSA.
Who can join the GKCSA?
Anyone can join the GKCSA.
How much does it cost to join?
The organic, locally-grown vegetable share cost for the 2024 GKCSA 24-week season is
$1040 (Premium) per share.
$840 (Basic)
$690 (Pre-bagged)
Where do I send my GKCSA Membership Application and payment?
We are currently accepting GKCSA Membership Applications for the 2024 season. Mail your 2024 GKCSA Membership Application and Payment (One check or money order - please DO NOT SEND CASH) made to:
CIRCLE BROOK FARM, c/o Jacqueline Perine, 29 Adlai Circle, SI, NY 10312
Can I send payments incrementally or be on a payment plan?
The GKCSA will accept partial payments to be be paid in full by June 1st. Share for fruit, eggs, mushrooms and flowers, must also be paid by June 1st.
When and where do I pick up my produce?
GKCSA pickups are THURSDAYS from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Christ Lutheran Church, located at 121 Cleveland Avenue, Staten Island, NY – 2 blocks southeast of Amboy Road. Distribution will ONLY BE CONDUCTED DURING THAT DAY/TIME PERIODS. A designated SITE COORDINATOR and CSA MEMBERS will be on hand to help out with your entire pick up needs.
How much time is a member required to dedicated per season to the MICSA?
All GKCSA members are required to commit a total of about 4 hours, 4:45 pm to 6:45 pm, equal to 2 distribution days throughout the season. If our total # of members decreases them we will need each member to work more than 4 hours.
THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS. If you are a GKCSA Core Member your hours may vary depending on your job description. NOTE: IF YOU DO NOT COMPLETE THE WORK REQUIREMENT PORTION OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION, YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE PROCESSED.
What do typical THURSDAY ‘Pickup Days’ look like?
On a typical THURSDAY pickup day, the designated SITE COORDINATOR and CSA MEMBERS for that day arrive at the Christ Lutheran Church by 4:45pm and set up produce delivered by Farmer John. Set up includes opening tables, weighing and bagging select items and writing a list of produce for the pickup on a large wipe board for members to read while they collect their produce.
Between 5:30pm and 7:30pm, ‘check-in’ will commence with the SITE COORDINATOR and CSA MEMBERS on staff that day identifying the share holders name and how many shares of fruits and vegetables they are excepted to receive. Each share holder will be assisted in the selection of their share. Members should bring their own bags to pick-up their produce to reduce waste.
By 7:30pm, usually 6:30pm, the SITE COORDINATOR and CSA MEMBERS for that day will pack all of the remaining produce to give to the church. They bring some of the produce to a food bank. The group will securely store tables and other equipment in the site shed for next week’s delivery, leaving the site tidy and secure.
How many vegetables do I receive each week?
Premium share 10 to 12 items
Basic share 9 to 10 items
Pre-bagged share 9 to 10 items but smaller quantity
Are half shares available?
Half shares cannot be purchased through the GKCSA. But if you wish a half share, we can e-mail our members to see if anyone else wishes to split a share.
If I purchase a fruit share, how long is the fruit season and how many fruits will I receive weekly?
The fruit season runs for 14 weeks, from July until September, and consists of 5-7 lbs of fruit. The type of fruit varies each week though the final 5 to six weeks will be primarily apples and pears.
Can I add a share at a later date?
Yes, we may be able to accept the payment of any share after the first pick up date.
CIRCLE BROOK FARM, c/o Jacqueline Perine, 29 Adlai Circle, SI, NY 10312
What kinds of vegetables and fruits will I receive?
Vegetable shares include a variety of root, stem, tuber, leafy, bulb, inflorescence, mature fruit vegetables, and herbs. Fruit shares include apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, plums, blueberries and maybe cherries.
What is the name of the farm and where is it located?
Farmer John Krueger is the owner of Circle Brook Farm, located in Andover, New Jersey.
Are their inherent risks to joining a CSA?
There are inherent risks when joining a CSA: weather conditions, equipment failure, unforeseen pest and plant disease issues, and even occasionally, farmer error, can all negatively affect crop yields. From previous experience with Farmer John, the north shore CSA has had minimal impact from such risks faced by the farmer. While Farmer John will take all practical steps to mitigate these risks, we cannot reimburse, refund, or otherwise compensate for crop failures or low yields. By becoming a member of our CSA program you are agreeing that these risks are included in CSA membership. Conversely, when the crops are in abundance, the CSA benefits from a bountiful CSA share.
Can I join the CSA in the middle of the season?
As we have done before, we will accept members after the season begins. Farmer John has accepted new members until the middle of the season. The cost to join will be pro-rated.
What is a FALL EXTENSION?
A FALL EXTENSION is an opportunity for GKCSA members to stock up on hearty vegetables for an additional 3 weeks after the 22-week share has ended. These vegetables could be stored for 1-2 months. FALL EXTENSION shares total 40 lbs. of produce per share. The cost of the FALL EXTENSION will be decided upon by the farmer at the end of the season. Information regarding the 2022 FALL EXTENSION will be posted in late Summer 2022.
Is my produce organic?
All vegetables from Farmer John Krueger and the Circle Brook Farm are certified organic. Currently, Farmer John obtains fruit shares from neighboring farmers who use organic methods to grow their fruit, however they are not certified organic. Farmer John in currently in the process of developing some of his land for organic fruit production and hopes to be able to provide organic fruits in the years to come.
What does certified organic mean?
Organic certification is a certification process for producers of organic food and other organic agricultural products. In general, any business directly involved in food production can be certified, including seed suppliers, farmers, food processors, retailers and restaurants.
What if I cannot pick-up my vegetables at the designated day/time?
It is your responsibility to coordinate with family, friends or other CSA Members to make alternative arrangements to have your produce share picked up on the day you cannot. If you cannot get someone to pick up your share, you may contact one of the core members and request that they hold it for you.
Are you associated with the north shore CSA ?
No. While we use the same farmer and coordinate regularly, GKCSA is a separate organization. If you would like to have a north shore pick-up location, register with them accordingly: