Trustees-Grown certified organic vegetables are available through our Community Supported Agriculture programs (CSA) at our working farms, Appleton Farms in Ipswich, Chestnut Hill Farm in Southborough, Powisset Farm in Dover, and Weir River Farm in Hingham. Supporting those farms, the farmers, and  the local food system are only a few of the fantastic reasons to sign up and become a CSA shareholder.

CSA membership is a great way to be introduced to and learn about new vegetables, herbs, flowers, etc. At Appleton Farms, for example, Field Crop Manager Andrew Lawson plants about 40 different crops, over 200 varieties. Just a small sampling of past shares includes arugula, beets, bok choy, carrots, chard, collards, cucumbers, delicata squash, eggplant, fennel, garlic, head lettuce, kale, onions, peppers, potatoes, salad turnips, scallions, summer squash, tatsoi, tomatoes, and many more.

Such a wide array of items brings with it lots of inspiration for recipes, exploration of new foods or cuisine, and opportunities for cooking at home, which may be healthier or less expensive than eating out. Trying new dishes with items from your share and finding new favorites is an excellent way to spend family time at the table.  Check out the Recipes from our Farms page for a variety of recipes with items from previous CSA seasons.

Shareholders have a great reason to visit the farm each week, or every two weeks, to pick up their abundant shares, and each visit provides a chance to get to know their farm. Our farms feature hiking trails to explore, farm animals to visit, idyllic spots to relax and unwind, and farm stores to shop before heading home. There are also numerous events on our farms all season long, including some on the same day as CSA share pick-ups, making for a full-day farm experience.

Another aspect of joining a CSA and getting to know the farm is knowing exactly where your food comes from, and even being able to meet and talk to the people who grew it. It’s a special and unique connection to your food as well as an educational opportunity, one you won’t get by shopping at a grocery store. The other thing you won’t find at the store is our pick-your-own fields, available to shareholders at Appleton, Chestnut Hill, and Powisset. This additional way to experience the land and what’s growing there is a highlight for kids and has featured flowers, cherry tomatoes, peas, and herbs.

Knowing where your food came from and who grew it takes much of the guesswork out of produce shopping and eliminates uncertainty regarding quality. The 100% organic vegetables from our farms are of the highest quality and as healthy as you can get. And there’s never a doubt that you’ll have some ready and waiting for you every time you pick up a share.

Many wonderful things happen when visiting a farm each week on pick-up day, from sharing in the risks and bountiful rewards of farming to a personal relationship with a farmer and a sense of community. A CSA creates unique connections, with farm workers, neighbors, and the land, in a special and sometimes unexpected place – your local farm.