Fruit Valley Farms is now offering shares in their upcoming season. Each share entitles the participant to a basket of fresh produce, every week, over the 16-week growing season, beginning on June 24th.

Fruit Valley Farms has developed their CSA Program in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) new program “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food.”

The cost of a full bushel (full share) is $625, a 1/2 bushel (half share) is $385 and a peck (quarter share) is $250.00. A half bushel will feed a family of 3 or 4 and a peck, a family of two. Applications are being accepted now, continuing until all shares for the season are sold. Acceptance is on a first-come, first-served basis. Restaurants and institutions should contact Fruit Valley Farms via the website Contact Us page.

Here's a description of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) from the USDA National Agricultural Library website:

Community Supported Agriculture consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation...with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production. Typically, members or “share-holders” of the farm or garden pledge in advance to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation (such as equipment repairs, seeds & fertilizer). In return, they receive shares in the farm’s bounty throughout the growing season, as well as satisfaction gained from reconnecting to the land and participating directly in food production . Members also share in the risks of farming, including poor harvests due to unfavorable weather or pests. By direct sales to community members, who have provided the farmer with working capital in advance, growers receive better prices for their crops, gain some financial security, and are relieved of much of the burden of marketing.

The idea of the CSA originated in Europe, according Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA and was brought to the USA by Jan Vander Tuin:

In 1984 Jan Vander Tuin brought the concept of CSA to North America from Europe. Jan had co-founded a community-supported agricultural project named Topanimbur, a biodynamic farm located near Zurich, Switzerland. Upon researching this type of co-op movement in Europe, Vander Tuin found the first producer-consumer food alliance in Geneva which was inspired by European visitors to Chile in the 1970’s. Vander Tuin introduced the idea to Robyn Van En at Indian Line Farm in South Egremont, Massachusetts and the CSA concept in North America was born.

Share owners in the Fruit Valley Farms CSA will receive the benefit of eating fresh, nutritious, high quality produce, grown using the least amount of pesticides possible, while preserving farm land. They will enjoy the reassurance of knowing where their food is grown, while paying a very competitive price.

Each week, the CSA full bushel, half bushel and peck shares will be distributed at Fruit Valley Farm Market. The market is located at 477 Franklinville Road (Route 538), between Tomlin Station Rd. and Russell Mill Rd.

Featured produce includes succulent South Jersey favorites such as corn, tomatoes, asparagus, strawberries, peppers, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, watermelon, eggplant, fresh herbs and nectarines, and of course, the delicious Fruit Valley Farms fresh peaches.