What does CSA mean?
CSA stands for community supported agriculture. CSA members pay upfront for the cost of an entire season's worth of fresh local produce allowing the farmers to purchase the needed seeds and equipment. The CSA member then visits the farm once a week to pickup their share. This approach massively reduces the waste of mildly imperfect produce that can’t go to wholesale and members benefit from overall cheaper, local, and often chemical free produce (here at Astarte we are organic, no-till + no spray). It also provides an opportunity to get to know the folks growing your food and enjoy the beauty of the land that feeds you!
Where did this idea come from? In the 1960s, author, horticulturist, and professor at Tuskegee University Booker T. Whatley recognized that black farmers weren't making money from wholesale farming. As a result, he came up with two concepts: "Clientele Membership Club" and 'Pick-Your-Own" where members pay a fee upfront to pick their produce for the duration of the season. This created a way of providing fresh local food to the people in a way that works for both growers and consumers!
Values Driven
At Astarte, all decisions are made with our three core values in mind: quality,
relationships and sustainability
Read more about each of these on our about page
Ready to Eat!
All of our CSA produce is washed to grocery store standards, and we never use any sprays, even organically approved ones. This means your produce is ready to take home, toss in the fridge, and eat whenever!
Highest Quality Produce
No-till means we leave our soil in place and allow the community of life within it to thrive. Because of this, we believe our produce to be more nutrient dense, colorful, and delicious. It also lasts much longer in the fridge!
Your Family Farm
This land is for you and your community. Astarte is open for members to enjoy pick-your-own with friends & family from 8am-6pm, 7days/week. We also offer community events such as volunteer days, potlucks, workshops, all open and free to CSA members. Check out our calendar!
Flexible Pickups
Our "box style" CSA offers shareholders maximum flexibility. Your box is freshest on pack day but you are welcome to pick up your box and/or do pick-your-own anytime between 8am-6pm, 7days/week!
Convenient Location
The farm is located directly on the Hadley Common, right off of route 9, making it easy to swing by when most convenient for you!
What's in a box?
6-10 items depending on the season, a delicious array of what we grow. From our famous head lettuce to juicy heirloom tomatoes and squash, you can be sure to experience the best of what the valley has to offer through your Astarte share. See below for monthly box samples! Bonus - we also have a first come, first serve "take or trade" shelf in the cooler.
What is pick-your-own?
In addition to your weekly box, you will have access to various pick-your-own crops throughout the season: herbs, flowers, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, tomatillos, husk cherries, greens, peas, beans, etc.
For more details about our CSA program, download our Shareholder Handbook.
What is the cost?
Sliding scale cost from $760-$1000 for a full 27 week season: 1 box per week from the first week of May until the end of October which breaks down to $35 or less of local and organic produce every week, plus pick-your-own! If you need help figuring out where you fall on the scale, visit the signup page (sold out for 2025!)
How do I pickup my box?
When signing up you will be prompted to choose either Tuesday or Friday packs, meaning each week you will have a box packed at 1pm on your chosen day. However, you can come pick up your box and do pick-your-own anytime during farm hours, 8am-6pm.
If you have any questions about joining our CSA, or if you'd like to speak to an existing member about their experience, please don't hesitate to reach out to ellen@astartefarm.com
How can I pay?
We have a few options.
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CSA shares can be paid in full when members sign-up with either credit card (adds a 3% processing fee) or with cash/check in person or mailed to the farm (123 West St. Hadley, MA 01035)
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Email us to request a payment plan for two separate installments at the time of sign-up and by June 1st.
More ways to pay:
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We happily accept SNAP payments - click here for more information.
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We offer a limited number of donor supported CSA shares at no cost, if you'd like to be considered please email us.
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CISA and UMass Five Credit Union have created a zero interest farm share loan that folks can use to pay for their share and pay back over the course of 6 months, check it out!
CSA Box Samples
These items aren't guaranteed but here is a general idea of what a weekly box looks like. Trade out what you won't use on the take-or-trade shelf and supplement with pick your own!
"Our deep love of Astarte. We love how the stewards and crew of the farm land give CSA members a sense of also stewarding the land and being a part of the farm. It’s not just a pick up, it’s a spiritual part of our week to experience what is there to receive and glean."
2024 CSA Member
"Astarte has been such a gift! I love that our share comes prepackaged but we can add/remove things as we prefer as well. the size and quality of the share is impressive. Your farmers are wonderful. We also enjoyed being able to pick things at our convenience."
2024 CSA Member
"The No-Till better than organic, climate-conscious mission feels like a must in a world that’s burning. I believe in the mission of the farm and can see the difference the methods achieve. I want to support that!"
2022 CSA Member
"Bringing the young children to see where our food is grown, practicing qi gong in the presence of the abundant fields, sky and farm creatures. Knowing that we are connected to the land that literally nourishes us with such lovingly tended produce, fruits, flowers."
2024 CSA Member