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I recently researched CSAs with delivery/pickup in Jamaica Plain in Boston. It’s a lot of money up front and a multi-week commitment, so I wanted to know my options. Since this kind of internet toiling complete with scouring old threads on forums and digging multiple pages into farm websites to see the actual cost of things is a giant pain, I thought I would save some work for anyone else in this position. The result is the list below, which features each location’s most basic CSA option. (Often farms offer several CSA options in varying size and content, and I’ve linked to their sites so you can explore that.) The pickup info is narrowed down to JP/Brookline/Roslindale, but most of these places have pickups in other Boston neighborhoods as well. (I’ve linked the JP pickup times to the pages where pickup info is listed in case you want to check out other pickup spots.)
CSAs with Pickup in or Near Jamaica Plain, Boston
Farmer Dave’s
Spring
$525 | 14 weeks | March 2 to June 6
Add home or office delivery for $10 per week per share (Only for select areas on their route. Contact them to ask.)
Spring Share: “The spring share is the size of a small share and its content will vary as the weather changes. Most weeks of the share will include a mix of fresh baby greens from our greenhouses and a myriad of storage crops such as potatoes, carrots, beets, celeriac and apples. As the weather warms and harvesting permits extras may be included as the crops mature such as radish, cucumbers and fresh herbs.”
Summer
$725 | 20 weeks | mid-June to late October
2020 Vegetable Pre-Box (Regular): “This option is available at all pick-up locations. The shares are packed into reuseable crates at the farm and delivered to the pick-up location. The members pick-up their crate to bring home. The member returns the empty crate the following week and exchanges it for the next share.”
Bonus Info
In additon to their standard seasonal shares, Farmer Dave’s offers a baked goods CSA, a fruit CSA, and add-ons like honey and maple syrup.
JP Pickup
Tuesdays 4:00–7:00 PM| pickups at Community Servings, 18 Marbury Terrace Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Siena Farms
Spring
$750 (full share) | 12 weeks | March 16 to June 1
$375 (FLEX share) | 6 weeks (every other week) | March 16 to June 1
Add home or office delivery for $10 per week per share
Spring Pantry Farm Share: “Enjoy rugged storage crops from our root cellar plus delicate spring field crops, complemented by fresh breads, produce and pantry items from our favorite local bakers, farmers and producers.”
Summer
$750 (full share) | 12 weeks | June 8 to August 24
$375 (FLEX share) | 6weeks (every other week) | June 8 to August 24
Add home or office delivery for $10 per week
Summer Vegetable Farm Share: “Delight in our summer crops — from baby arugula to fresh-dug potatoes to vine-ripened tomatoes and much more.”
Bonus Info
Offers all kind of shares. A mushroom CSA, a “kids” CSA, a sunflower CSA, a tomato CSA, a fruit CSA. Also offers home delivery for an added fee ($10 per week) and has a mercato store.
JP Pickup
Spring:
Wednesdays 5:00–8:00 PM | March 16 to June 1 | nearest pickup to JP is at The Beech Tree Inn, 83 Longwood Ave, Brookline, MA 02446
Summer:
Thursdays 5:00–8:00 PM | June 8 to August 24 | nearest pickup to JP is at The Beech Tree Inn, 83 Longwood Ave, Brookline, MA 02446
Red Fire Farm
Summer
$698 (midpoint of their sliding scale) | 20 weeks | early June to late October
Regular Summer CSA Share (Boston Area & Worcester): “Great for 2–4 people who cook 3 times per week. Enjoy all the crops and varieties RFF has to offer. Comes with full PYO privileges.”
Bonus Info
In addition to standard CSA, they offer a mushroom CSA, a fruit CSA, an egg share, and more. Lots of options!
JP Pickup
Thursdays 3:30–6:30 PM | First Baptist Church, 633 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Allandale Farm
Summer
$575 | 20 weeks | mid-June to late October
Vegetable Share: “One half bushel of Allandale Farm grown produce per week for 20 weeks beginning in mid June. Plus, you’ll get 10% off in the store on your pick-up day for the duration of the CSA season and access to our exclusive CSA member activities.”
Bonus Info
Allandale is near the city, so that 10% off in-store supply deal could be a real nice perk for gardeners! It has an expansive garden section. The grocery section of the shop sells local fruit, dairy, pantry items, and snacks.
JP Pickup
Tuesdays or Wednesdays 2:00–7:00 PM | Nearest pickup is at Allandale Farm, 259 Allandale Rd, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Crimson & Clover Farm
Summer
$515 | 20 weeks | June–October
Small CSA Share (+Fruit): “Our small share feeds 2–3 people. The small share offers 6 choices each week from our farmer’s market style pick-up. The Small Share is a great option for smaller families, couples, individuals, or folks trying out a CSA share for the first time. All shareholders will have access to the pick-your-own garden as available, with pick-your-own quantities determined by your share size.”
Bonus Info
If you choose to go to the farm to get your CSA, you can participate in the “pick-your-own” garden which is exactly what it sounds like. Doesn’t get much fresher than that. The people who run Crimson and Clover encourage you to bring your own containers, and seem very eco-conscious and social. “Whether or not there are pick-your-own items available in a given week, you are always welcome during share pick-up-hours to come and walk around the farm, spend time, and share in this amazing community resource!” There’s a cute farm store with pantry items, snacks, and produce too.
JP Pickup
Tuesdays | June–October | nearest pickup to JP is at Curds & Co., 288 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02445
Thursdays | June–October | nearest pickup to JP is at Clover Food Lab, 360 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02215
ReVision Urban Farm
Summer
$550 | 18 weeks | June 5 to October 9
“Our CSA operates by selling shares of our farms’ harvest to families and organizations that commit to supporting us for the full length of the growing season. You, the CSA member, pay in advance for a season’s worth of fresh, sustainable grown produce. We, the farmers, have a secure market before the season even begins and can therefore focus on growing great crops. In other words, you buy a little piece of the farm for the growing season and in return receive a weekly “share” of fresh, local, organic produce.”
Bonus Info
ReVision Urban Farm began as a social justice project, and continues on this mission. According to their website, “Since 1990, the ReVision Family Home and the ReVision Urban Farm have given food and shelter to hundreds of homeless families and provided healthful food options to thousands of people throughout the community.”
JP Pickup
Nearest pickup is at Roslindale Summer Farmers Market
Stillmans
Summer
$450 | 16 weeks | June 22 to October
CSA Stillman’s Farm Best: “Perfect for an individual or small household that likes to eat their veggies. Add on our ‘Supersize Me’ option which will allow you to get extra fruit and extras at your CSA pickup — please note, not available for corporate CSA, Newton, Wellesley, Worcester, Brookline Beals St — pretty much anywhere where we are not actually there to hand you your box. Need more? Order 2- Ordering 2 CSA bags is an option everywhere!”
Bonus Info
If you pick up your Summer CSA at their farm, the price drops to $420. They also offer an “a la carte” option if you want more control over picking out which produce is in your CSA. Are you a business owner? “Stillman’s Farm is happy to talk to anyone interested in setting up a CSA pickup at their workplace. We need at least 18–24 shares at a given location.”
JP Pickup
Tuesdays or Saturdays | parking lot behind Bank of America, 677 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
The Buckle Farm
Summer
$480 | 15 weeks | June 24 to October 7
2020 Summer Veggie CSA: “Certified organic, fresh produce grown by Buckle Farm. Each week, we’ll bring you a variety of veggies and herbs, with occasional fruit. We aim to give you a colorful & varied selection each week to keep your meals interesting.”
Bonus Info
This farm originated in MA but is now based in ME, so the food is transported from there, so it might not be the most sustainable choice on the list.
JP Pickup
Wednesdays 4:00–6:00 PM | Agricultural Hall 245 Amory St, Jamaica Plain (between Stony Brook T station and The Brewery Complex)
The Neighborhood Farm
Year-round
** Varying Membership Levels | 44 weeks | Year-round
Free Choice CSA: “Members select the produce they would like, we tally up the value, and we deduct it from the credit in the member’s account. CSA members have total free choice — they can spend the value of their share however they want. Hate cabbage? Skip it! Want nothing but tomatoes this week? Go for it! Members pick up as often or infrequently as they like — and don’t have to plan ahead! They can come to market or the Farm Stand once a week, three times a week, or only once during the whole season.”
** “Members sign up at one of seven membership levels. We create a personal farm account for them. For members who sign up and pay in January, February or March, we add a 15% bump in credit to each farm account. For signups after April 1st, we add a 10% bump in credit. (We need and appreciate the support in the winter and early spring!!!) If someone signs up at the $350 level from January through March, we put a $402.50 credit in their account. Each time a member picks up, we deduct the total of their selection from the credit in their account.”
Bonus Info
Definitely not a standard farm share, but this queer-owned CSA comes highly recommended from those who’ve used it.
JP Pickup
Summer:
Saturdays 10:00 AM–2:00 PM | early May to Thanksgiving | Egleston Square Farmers Market, 29 Germania St, Jamaica Plain
Saturdays 9:00 AM–1:30 PM | June through Thanksgiving | Roslindale Market in Adams Park
Winter:
Saturdays 10:00 AM–2:00 PM | January 4 to March 28, 2020 | Roslindale indoor winter farmers market, Saturdays 10 to 2
