Membership2010

Common Questions about CSA Shares...

How big is a share?

We offer two sizes of produce shares. Our standard share (Harvest Basket) averages about one bushel per
week. We also offer a smaller alternative share (Taste of the Season) that averages about two-thirds of a
standard share. For both shares, the quantity and variety of produce increases as the season progresses.

How many people will a share feed?

One thing we have learned from member feedback is that it is nearly impossible to accurately predict how
many people a share will feed, because it is so dependent on your eating preferences and practices. That
said, a standard share is about right to feed a typical family of three to four, or two serious vegetarians.
The smaller share option may be a good alternative for smaller households that do not cook as often. On
the other hand, for any sized household, a larger share gives you to opportunity to preserve extra produce
to enjoy over the winter.

Can I split a share with another household?

You are welcome to split a share if this will meet your needs better. However, it is your responsibility to
arrange payment and divide produce with your partner. Please be aware that often a week’s delivery will
include only one of a particular item (for example, one head of broccoli or lettuce), so splitting may require
some negotiation between you and your partner! As an alternative to splitting a share, you may consider
the smaller share option for yourself.

Are there other items available that are not included in the regular share?

Additional options that can be added to your produce share at an extra cost include local fruit and fresh
flower shares. We are still working on egg share and a fall harvest Thanksgiving share option for 2009,
with details to be announced. Please let us know if there are special items you would like us to explore.

Help! What can I do with all these vegetables?

It is common for new CSA members initially to feel overwhelmed by the quantity and diversity of produce
in your share, especially if you are accustomed to using vegetables as an occasional side dish rather than a
staple of your diet. You also may be at a loss for how to use less familiar seasonal vegetables like swiss
chard, leeks, broccoli raab, or celeriac, and wondering why you don’t have corn and tomatoes in June
when they are on the grocery store shelves.

Increasing the amount of fresh produce in your diet and adapting to enjoy foods when they are in season
locally are important aspects of joining a CSA. We are confident you will agree that the quality of fresh
local items is far superior to items trucked in to a grocery store from thousands of miles away – even if it’s
difficult to adjust to the fact that tomatoes are not in season in New York State until midsummer! We
encourage you to modify your diet to accommodate the produce you receive in your share. Throughout the
season we will provide recipes and other ideas for using your share of the harvest.

How do weekly deliveries work?

When you sign up for the CSA, you will select one of our established delivery sites. We have six delivery
sites in the Capital District for 2010: Delmar (three sites), Loudonville, the OCFS Building in Rensselaer,
and of course, here on the farm in Greenville.

At the beginning of the season, each CSA member will be designated three reusable produce boxes,
tagged with your name. Every week we will deliver your produce share to the delivery site you selected. On
delivery day you simply pick up your tagged box full of produce, and leave behind an empty box for the
following week’s share.

Delivery days for 2010 tentatively will occur on Mondays or Thursdays, depending on the site you select.
Shares are dropped off around 4 pm.