On Farm Pick-Up

We offer two share sizes for on-farm pick-up at our Pennington farm stand: the Family Share and the Individual Share. These shares are only available at the Pennington farm, and are not offered as part of the Delivered Boxed Share program. A Family Share generally feeds an average family of four, while an Individual Share feeds one to two adults. Please keep in mind, however, that the right-sized share for you depends not just on the number of people in your household but also on your eating habits: if you are a vegetarian or like to do lots of canning and freezing, you may prefer a larger share, or you may want to consider purchasing two shares for one family. Keep in mind that if, during the course of the season, you feel you are getting too much or too little produce, you may contact us to upgrade or downgrade the size of your share until August 1st. We will pro-rate your increased membership fee or refund accordingly.

During our distribution season, farm staff harvests crops and places them in bins in our farm market. Our farm market is set up similar to a retail farm market; however, instead of having price signs above the produce bins, we have quantity signs indicating the amount of produce members should take, depending on share size.

For members' convenience, a recipe blog is published on our website. Our monthly online newsletter, The Local Harvest, is also available in the farm stand.  In addition, we offer several Events throughout the season.

Sharing a Share

Please note, if you choose to share a Family Share between two families, it is not the same as having two Individual shares.  For example, there are times when Family share members are only entitled to one pumpkin or one watermelon.  Family share members and their partner(s) will need to share that one item.

If you and your partners need to pick-up at the farm at separate times on your designated pick-up day, be sure to coordinate amongst yourselves to avoid taking the incorrect amount. We can recommend several convenient methods of coordinating with your share partners such as leaving a note on the message board, packing and leaving a bag for your share partner, or alternating the weeks of pick-up (i.e., you come the first and third weeks of the month, your share partner picks up the second and fourth weeks).  Members and their share partners need to pick-up on the same pick up day.

Pick Your Own Crops

Most weeks the farm also offers a number of crops for Pick Your Own harvesting at the Pennington farm.  This benefit is included in your membership fee.  Members often tell us that PYO harvesting at our farm is the highlight of their week and an important component in their stress management program! Many of our members tell us that the CSA membership is still a good value even if they don’t partake in PYO harvesting.

Our Veggie Hotline and the This Week's Distribution and PYO lists page of our website lets you know what's available from week to week and is updated three times per week.

Confirmation Postcards and Members’ Handbooks

Confirmation of your membership, pick-up day and share size will be mailed to you by the beginning of April.  The address label will reflect your pick-up day and share size.

Your Members’ Handbook is downloadable from the website and also available in the farm stand.  It is really important for members to read their Handbook. The Handbook is a member’s “owners manual” and answers common questions about the farm, i.e., how to store produce, what to do when you get to the farm and where you can find convenient and tasty recipes, etc. Please keep in mind that if you have additional questions, you can always call the Veggie Hotline or talk to a farm stand attendant when you are at the farm.

First Pick-Up & Membership Badges

The start date of the distribution season varies from year to year depending on the weather.  For the exact date of the first pick-up and the start of strawberry picking, please visit our website or call the Veggie Hotline starting May 10th.  The first pick-up is sometime after May 10th.  Please be sure to come to the farm only on your assigned pick-up day unless you have made prior arrangements.  We harvest just enough for the number of members expected per day.

Each time a member comes to the farm they must wear their personal Membership Badge.  The badges will be available for pick-up in the farm stand during your first pick-up.  For our complete policy regarding Membership Badges including replacement fees, please visit our Policies page.