Is the food organic?
Yes! John’s farm and food are certified organic by NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association). Not all CSAs can boast organic certification, be sure to ask.
When/Where is pick up?
Pick up is from 3-7pm on Thursdays in Westfield, New Jersey.
What will I get in my share?
A typical share includes 6-10 varieties of produce. The amount and types of produce delivered will vary by season. For a detailed list of exactly what we received in the past please see our Weekly Share pages.
Does my share include fruit?
The only fruit Farmer John grows are a variety of melons. These are usually available during August. Farmer John does offer a fruit share for 14 weeks during the season. This share is optional and has an extra cost. Each week you get two varieties of in season fruit weighing a total of about 7 lbs. The fruit is not organic but “Eco-grown”. It is near impossible to grow organic tree fruit in the Northeast. This is the best you can get locally.
Do I have to volunteer my time?
YES. The Westfield Area CSA is completely volunteer run. All full member shares are expected to put in 5 hours of volunteer time. This can be done in two ways.
- Work two shifts of 2½ hours each during pick up. Shifts are 2:30-5 and 5-7:30. You can work both shifts the same day, or on different days. Members can sign up for shifts before the season begins.
- Attend a Volunteer Farmer Day or Work Party at the farm. Dates and details can be found in our Calendar.
Can I purchase a half share?
You may split a share with a friend. If you want to split a share but don’t know someone to split with we can try to pair you up. This pairing is done as a favor and is not guaranteed.
You can split the share however you like. Some people alternate picking up and keeping the full share every other week. Some people prefer splitting each week. The only thing you MAY NOT do is bring a knife to pick up and cut your produce in half there. If you prefer to split the food each week, please do it at home, not at the pick up site.
What if I can’t pick up my share?
Feel free to have a friend pick up your share if you can’t make it one week.
All food left over at the end of the night is donated to a community in Elizabeth.
Can I visit the farm?
YES!!!!!!!!! There are many scheduled work days at the farm. Just about anyone is capable of doing the work required. This is a great way to see the farm and meet Farmer John. There is also an annual pre-season picnic in June each year. This is a fun family event. Please see our Calendar for dates.
How can I join?
Follow the directions on the 2024 Registration page. You can submit your application and pay electronically, or print and mail us a form. Feel free to contact us at westfieldcsa@gmail.com with any questions or for more registration information.
What do I do with these vegetables?
If you are at a loss with what to do with a particular veggie, try asking someone you see at pick up. One question is all it takes to get everyone talking. You can also view our Recipes and Storage Tips.