How does Pennypack Farm’s CSA work?

Pennypack Farm's CSA is set up to provide high quality, local food, value, choice and an on-farm experience to its members.  Both summer/fall and winter/spring shares run for six months.  Members purchase a large (summer/fall only) or small share a few months before the season begins according to their needs and eating styles.  All food pickups occur at the farm.

Most of the food is presented on tables, similar to what one would find at a farmers market.  Members select the vegetables to make up their share for the week.  Some crops are offered as a "U-pick", in which members have the option of going out in the fields and harvesting their own.

Pickups for the summer share are on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 2:30-7:30 pm., from late May to early November.

Share Sizes
For the summer/fall season, there are two share sizes. A large share is 10 units. A small share is 6 units.  A “unit” is what you typically get at a supermarket, like a bunch of carrots, a bag of lettuce. Value of the shares is approximately equivalent to the same local organic produce in grocery stores, but members receive significantly more value through U-pick opportunities and bumper crops.

Choice
Produce will be laid out “farmers market” style and members will be able to select vegetables (in units) according to individual tastes and menu needs. Units that are limited in quantity will be limited to one per share. You will be able to pick from items harvested, and as much or as little of any particular crop as you want according to the number of units you paid for, as long as quantities last. Every effort is made to rotate crops so that there is equal variety throughout the pick-up time.
In trying to maintain sustainable practices, we do not supply bags or boxes to members at pickups.

U-Pick
Our farmers harvest the majority of crops for our shareholders. However, a few crops, including peas, beans, strawberries, raspberries, cherry tomatoes, tomatillos, fresh herbs and flowers, are exclusively harvested by shareholders for themselves. With the exception of herbs and flowers, U-Picks count in the unit total.

Share Duty - view the share duty calendar
Four hours of share duty are required of all Summer/Fall CSA member families each year.