What is a CSA? 

WHAT IS A CSA?

Community-supported agriculture (CSA; sometimes known as community-shared agriculture) is an alternative, locally based economic model of agriculture and food distribution. A CSA also refers to a particular network, or association of individuals, who have pledged to support one or more local farms, with growers and consumers sharing the risks and benefits of food production.

CSA members, or subscribers, pay at the onset of the growing season for a share of the anticipated harvest; once harvesting begins, they periodically receive shares of produce. In addition to produce, some CSA services may include additional farm products like honey, eggs, dairy, fruit, flowers and meat. Some CSAs provide for contributions of labor in lieu of a portion of subscription costs.

Subscribe to our CSA

What We Need & What You Get

All funds raised are used to take the farm to the next level of production so that we can provide more members with quality fortnightly boxes of produce that replace their normal fresh food shopping. The Bilpin farm is perfect for growing your delicious, household veggies while the Mt Tomah farm has well-established berries, figs and nut trees.

Most importantly, a CSA is an opportunity for you to be part of the farm and get to know who is growing your food. I hope you will be part of the farm for years to come as we grow and improve together.

The Impact

By supporting local farmers, a CSA ensures there are people within the community who can provide fresh, sustainable, and nutritious food. This not only fosters food independence but also bolsters the local economy and encourages the use of organic and regenerative practices that improve soil health and biodiversity.

Risks & Challenges

Of course there will be challenges, insect infestations, disease, bad weather, etc. but the idea of a CSA is that we are in this together, we share in the losses just as we share in the bounty of beautiful abundance on the good harvest.

CSA Box FAQs

What period of time (start/finish dates) does the membership cover?

Subscription commitment lasts for a 3 months after this you can cancel any time. Subscription works like mobile phone or streaming service where money is deducted from your account each time a box is delivered.

How many deliveries will be made during the membership period?
  • Delivery is every fortnight.
  • There are 7 deliveries.
How long does a year membership go for?
A one-year membership/subscription covers 3 seasons, as we stop deliveries for ~2 months in the winter. So you get 21 boxes in total. One box for free on the yearly subscription.
How does the rolling subscription work?

Subscription works like a mobile phone or streaming service, where money is deducted from your account each time a box is delivered. We ask that you give us 1 month's notice to end the subscription so we can adapt our planting schedule. If you have to stop due to personal reasons lease reach out to let us know. Deliveries stop for 3 months over winter and commence again in spring.

What happens if I am sick or can't pick up my box?

If people are not able to collect their box, we can donate it to someone of their choice. Since the produce is grown specifically for them, it must be harvested that week.

When does the next season start?

The first pickups for Autumn will be:

  • For our Bronte Market or your Sydney business on Wednesday, the 11th of March.
  • For Lawson and/or your Blue Mountains Business on Thursday, the 13th of March.
  • For Kurrajong Heights or your Hawkesbury Business Friday, the 6th of March.
How long does the produce generally stay fresh if stored appropriately?

All produce is picked the previous day or that morning, so you can expect it to be much fresher than store-bought produce. Shelf life depends on appropriate storage, weather during harvest, type of vegetable (leafy greens have a shorter shelf life, for example, a zucchini could last up to a month in the fridge) and how quickly it is refrigerated. Our chosen varieties are grown for flavour and nutritional density rather than shelf life. We also allow our produce to ripen on the plant, which increases nutritional value and taste. We choose this over harvesting early for easier transportation.

People who live alone who want to participate – would the couples box be too much for one person?

One person can get through a couples' box, we recommend juicing and eating the produce raw. One customer told me he lost 7kg after a season as a result of eating more veg and not having room for junk food.

Are the vegetables organic?

We grow all our veggies to the organic standard but at this stage to not pay for certification. We prefer to put our energy into free open days and workshops for our members so we can explain why we farm the way we farm. After coming to the farm to talk with us I’m sure you will see that our dedication to growing the best food in the most environmentally conscious way goes beyond any certification.

At what point do subscribers know what to expect in their fortnightly box (eg a week before or a day before?)

Due to the erratic nature of farming, we try not to make exact claims as to what people will get before harvest day, but we will let them know which crops are likely to be ready. Most people find this more engaging, and we hope it builds understanding of what it means to farm.

What is the difference between a couple and a family veggie box membership?

Family membership usually gets about 10% more in the box, and occasionally different products.

Pickup locations with links to maps:
  • Lawson
  • Esprit Pilates (McGrath's Hill)
  • Hawkesbury Herbs (Richmond)
  • Kurrajong Heights
  • Bronte