NeighborHealth Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
East Boston CSA Community Supported Agriculture
What: Weekly shares of fresh, seasonal produce!
What is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)?
A CSA allows community members to support a local farm by purchasing a portion (referred to as a “share”) of their harvest. Each week during the harvest season, CSA members receive a box of produce which varies in variety throughout the season. Many members have noted that the CSA has helped them to eat more vegetables, try new things, and improve their diet. Many members also choose to participate in order to support local agriculture and eat seasonally.
About NeighborHealth’s CSA Program
NeighborHealth has partnered with Farmer Dave’s, a diversified farm located in Dracut, Massachusetts, since 2012 to provide a range of CSA shares to the East Boston community. CSA members who can purchase a full-priced share can sign up directly on Farmer Dave’s website here and pay for the whole season. Farmer Dave’s CSA is divided into 4 seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Late-Fall.
What makes NeighborHealth’s CSA unique? We worked with Farmer Dave’s to create a more affordable $20 half-share option as well as flexible weekly or biweekly payment plans. For community members who need financial assistance, NeighborHealth offers income-based subsidized shares (available on a first come, first serve basis).
SNAP recipients can pay for their CSA shares with their HIP (Healthy Incentives Program) benefits, a Massachusetts nutrition incentive program that automatically reimburses SNAP customers for fruits and vegetables purchased from local farms. The monthly HIP reimbursement limit is based on household size:
Household of 1-2: $40
Household of 3-5: $60
Household of 6+: $80
Our flexible payment options and the HIP program have allowed us to make local farm shares more accessible to the East Boston community.
Pick up Information
Location: 151 Orleans St (NeighborHealth’s Education and Training Institute)
Day & Time: Thursdays from 2:00 to 6:00 pm (Wednesdays in January – February)
How do I sign up for a CSA?
Full-paying CSA members can sign up on Farmer Dave’s website here and select “East Boston” as their pick-up site. To sign up for a flexible payment plan, a subsidized share, or a $20 half-share, please complete the CSA application in English or Spanish here. If you have any questions about how the CSA works or need assistance with the application, please contact Kelsey Briggs at farmersmarket@neighborhealth.com or call 617-981-3463.
