Tag: local food

Where in Central Brooklyn is the Central Brooklyn CSA?

The Central Brooklyn CSA has no geographical boundaries in terms of membership. Our distribution (food pick-up) location is the Hebron Seventh Day Adventist Church.

The Central Brooklyn CSA has no geographical boundaries in terms of membership. As long as you can make it on time to pick up your food (and just as importantly, meet your volunteer commitments), consider yourself a part of our community!

Our distribution (food pick-up) location is the Hebron Seventh Day Adventist Church. It is located on the corners of New York Avenue and Dean Street in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood in Brooklyn (11216).  Distributions take place on Wednesdays from 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM.  Our first pick-up will take place on June 16th!

How Are CSA’s So Cheap?

With the cost of groceries seemingly going up, up, and away, how can CSA’s offer fresh, low cost, healthy produce and more?

With the cost of groceries seemingly going up, up, and away, how can CSA’s offer fresh, low cost, healthy produce and more?

CSA stands for ”Community Supported Agriculture.” In a nutshell, CSA’s are cooperatives that pair communities with local farmers for low cost, fresh from the farm produce and other foods. (If you would like to learn more about CSA’s click here.) CSA’s help farmers plan what they plant, budget accordingly, and avoid taking out high risk loans. What farmers save in overhead costs, they are able to pass on in savings to their respective CSA’s.

CSA’s also use the collected efforts of their members to help further subsidize the cost of food. Often CSA member-volunteers do all the marketing, administration, and distribution work themselves. Again, the money that is saved by not hiring people to do these tasks is reflected in the relatively low cost of CSA foods.

In addition to our farmers and members, the Central Brooklyn CSA is supported by the New York City Coalition Against Hunger (NYCCAH). This unique partnership helps us offer different membership rates and payment plans for members of different incomes and even accept Food Stamps as payment!

That is how the Central Brooklyn CSA provides its members with low cost sustainably grown local produce. Simple, isn’t it?

Exactly How Much Does Central Brooklyn CSA Cost?

Do you know anyone who does NOT want to save money? Neither do we. In fact, like most of our friends, we are trying to do more with less. If that sounds like something you are into, the Central Brooklyn CSA may be just your style.

So how much does a membership cost? First, there are two categories for membership, Full and Half Shares.  No matter which type of membership you choose, your membership rate is based on your total household income (or the total income of all the adults who are sharing a share). Most members will make a ONE TIME payment at the beginning of the season, although members making less than $35,000 (including those using Food Stamps) have the option of paying in installments.

If you are paying with SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Benefits (Food Stamps)

Full Share Half Share
22 Week Total : $120 22 Week Total: $60
Average Weekly Cost : $5.50 Average Weekly Cost : $2.70

NOTE: As of now, Members paying with SNAP benefits can pay week-to-week or bi-weekly!

If your total household income is less than $25,000 per year

Full Share Half Share
22 Week Total : $290 22 Week Total: $145
Average Weekly Cost : $13 Average Weekly Cost : $6.60

NOTE: As of now, Members in this income group can sign up for payment plans!

If your total household income is between $25,000 and $35,000 per year

Full Share Half Share
22 Week Total : $365 22 Week Total: $180
Average Weekly Cost : $16.60 Average Weekly Cost : $8.20

NOTE: As of now, Members in this income group can sign up for payment plans!

If your total household income is between $35,000 and $50,000 per year

Full Share Half Share
22 Week Total : $440 22 Week Total: $220
Average Weekly Cost : $20 Average Weekly Cost : $10

NOTE: Members in this income group must be paid in full by the beginning of the season.

If your total household income is greater than $50,000 per year

Full Share Half Share
22 Week Total : $485 22 Week Total: $240
Average Weekly Cost : $22 Average Weekly Cost : $10.90

NOTE: Members in this income group must be paid in full by the beginning of the season.

In short, no matter how much (or how little) you make, you would be hard pressed to find locally, sustainably grown fruit and vegetables for less!