_IMPORTANT_ All of our slots are filled for the 2021/22 Off-season CSA that runs from November 2021 through June 2022.
Additional slots will open on January 1, 2022 and will be available by referral from an existing member.
What is a CSA?
A CSA, known as Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), is a model that allows people/members to invest in a farm and share the risks with other members and the farmers. Members prepay for a "share" of what the farm produces. In simple terms, it's a fresh food delivery program that helps the farmer in many ways. The early revenue allows the farm to purchase seeds, supplies and pay for labor. In exchange for the investment, the farmer provides a share of what the farm produces to their members. At Edible Earth Farm, it is known as the Main Season CSA.
CSA Pickup Locations
- Bellevue
- Ben Avon
- Bethel Park
- Brookline
- Cranberry Township [hosts wanted]
- Fox Chapel
- Franklin Park
- Greenfield
- Grove City
- Highland Park
- Lawrenceville
- McMurray [hosts wanted]
- Morningside
- Mt. Lebanon
- Mt. Washington
- North Hills [hosts wanted]
- Oakmont
- Point Breeze
- Regent Square [hosts wanted]
- Sewickley
- Shadyside
- Squirrel Hill
- Sandy Lake
- Upper St. Clair
- Verona
- Wexford
- Wanna host Edible Earth Farm's CSA?
Why Edible Earth Farm
The management team at EEF has over 27 years of combined, commercial organic farming experience. The farm has always been a CSA farm and has always been certified organic. The farm operates one of the oldest and biggest CSAs in Western PA. CSA sales account for over 98% of the farm's revenue. That means the CSA is their sole focus! Edible Earth Farm is the most diversified farm in Western PA raising organic fruit, organic vegetables, organic herbs, organic wild edibles, organic aromatherapy products, medicinal herbs, spices, organic mushrooms, pasture-raised chickens, goats, beef and pigs, organic hay, organic jarred goods and dried food. The farm is committed to being the best CSA farm in Western PA. Since their member retention rates are >=80%, CSA slots fill fast. The farm enourages you to join and become a member of their farm family. When you choose a farm who has such a strong comittment to their program, you don't have to worry about the best product going to markets or to restaurants. At Edbile Earth Farm, all the product goes to its CSA members.
Edible Earth Farm's CSA members receive these unique benefits:
- Year-round deliveries to host sites (except January-March)
- Home deliveries to its members from January through March
- Access to a year-round farm store with over 100+ items available on any given week
- Ability to purchase eggs, organic mushrooms, organic jarred goods, organic coffeee and dried goods
- Ability to purchase bulk items like peaches, cucumbers and tomatoes, to name only a few
- More than 40 pickup sites throughout Western PA
- 15% off plants and flowers in April and May
- Western PAs first Full Choice CSA where members choose all items every week for the Main Season CSA. (Limited Full Choice CSA slots available)
- Access to pasture raised meats
- Unique varieties. Edible Earth Farm grows over 200 varieties
- Access to a private, CSA member-only online community [The Clubhouse] and Instagram feed. Members share recipes and meal ideas in the groups
- E-newsletters from the farm
- Access to on-farm events, tours and educational sessions
- A meaningful connection with first generation farmers
CSA Details
Small CSA Share vs. Large CSA Share
A Small Main Season CSA consists of 6-9 items per week, depending on the time of year. A Large Main Season CSA consists of 9-12 items per week, depending on the time of year. Our Large Main Season CSA Share includes 50% more produce than the Small Share, depending on the week's harvest. The farm grows 200+ varieties of crops in an effort to provide our CSA members with a wide variety of product.
Full Choice CSA Share vs. Traditional Plus CSA Share
A Traditional Plus CSA is a lesser cost CSA share where the farm decides what goes in the crate each week. The farm curates a beautiful variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables for its members. The value of
this share type is greater than a Full Choice CSA. Traditional Plus memeber have access to the same products as Choice Members and can easily add items to their share each week. Traditional Plus shares allows the farm to better plan cropping and reduce waste. A Traditional Plus CSA improves farm efficiency. The farm passes these savings onto the customer.
A Full Choice CSA is a higher cost CSA share where members can choose every item that goes into their weekly crate. Small Choice CSA members can choose 7 items per week and a Large Choice CSA member
can choose 10 items per week. If you forget to choose one week, that's okay. Edible Earth Farm will choose for you that week.
Is Edible Earth Farm's CSA 100% Organic
It depends. If you purchase a Full Choice CSA, you can create a pure organic delivery by only selecting items that are grown by Edible Earth Farm. Our members value a diverse CSA experience and there are very few certified organic producers in Western PA; therefore, the Traditional Plus CSA is a mix of certified organic products (approximately 90% organic) and non-certified, locally grown products (approximately 10%). This ensures a highly varied share with sufficent and long-term supply of things people love.... like sweet corn! :)
Delivery Schedule
You must be a Main Season CSA member to be eligible for year-round deliveries.
January – March
Biweekly home deliveries of farm store purchases (some conditions apply). This is an optional service where members can order items a la carte from an online farm store.
April – June
Biweekly deliveries of farm store purchases to select host sites. This is an optional service where members can order items a la carte from an online farm store.
Late-June – October
Weekly, Main Season CSA deliveries to all host sites [see registration page for complete list]. Members pre-pay for the Main Season CSA. Deliveries begin the week of June 27th and end the third week of October. Edible Earth Farm's Main Season CSA is 17 weeks, as this is the time there is the most variety of fruits and vegetables.
November-December
Biweekly deliveries of farm store purchases to select host sites. This is an optional service where members can order items a la carte from an online farm store.
What is a Vacation Hold and How Does it Work
Leaving town for a week? Heading on a family vacation? No problem! Simply log into your account and place your CSA delivery on hold. Then choose a future delivery to "double up" your share (receive 2 shares in one week).
Access to Edible Earth Farm's Online Farm Store
Edible Earth Farm's CSA members have access to an online farm store during the Main Season CSA where additional items can be purchased and delivered with their weekly CSA. Items include: pastured meat, cheese, honey, eggs, mushrooms, sourdough bread, bulk produce, fruit, canned goods and more.
CSA Pricing
The farm employes a dynamic pricing model that rewards early signups. Advance to the registration page to see current pricing. Prices are for the full season.
Is a CSA Right for You?
- It is important to you to have a relationship with a farm and the farmers who produce your food.
- You want to better understand what goes into producing fresh food.
- It is important to you to have super fresh, local food from a Certified Organic farm.
- You like unusual foods and are you willing to try new things. This is especially important if you're considering a Traditional Plus CSA.
- You are willing to adjust your cooking and eating habits to embrace the CSA way.
- You are NOT looking for a “deal”.
- You understand there is some risk in participating in a CSA.
- You want to find a farm that is committed to providing positive social impact through contributions to local food banks, shelters and families in need.
_IMPORTANT_ All of our slots are filled for the 2021/22 Off-season CSA that runs from November 2021 through June 2022.
Additional slots will open on January 1, 2022 and will be available by referral from an existing member.
