It’s February, which means right about now, the slushy snow and bitter winds are making you miss all the beautiful things the North Fork has to offer in the warmer months. Say, for example, the lush farm stands on every corner or the incredible CSAs that bring produce selection right to your door. Believe it or not, many of the North Fork farms are already having sign ups for their summer CSA (community supported agriculture) programs. Here is a list of the best produce CSAs the North Fork has to offer.
Sign up for this popular CSA before March 1, and get some early bird perks like a Sang Lee tote perfect for your veggie pick up, a payment plan and a 10 percent discount for the farm stand you can use immediately. The vegetable share is 24 weeks long and comes in two sizes. There’s also a fruit add on from Briermere Farms or a cheese add on with local cheese from Long Island and the Hudson Valley.
The full share paid in full is $780 and the half is $570. The share can be delivered anywhere on Long Island or New York City for an additional fee.
25180 County Rd 48, Peconic, NY 11958, 734-7001
Jamesport Farmstead has two different options when it comes to their CSA. First is the traditional share that contains 8 to 12 items weekly for 20 weeks. The second is a members choice CSA that allows freedom to choose what you want. With the prepaid amount of $750 for the season, this credit gives 15 percent savings from the online store.
Shares start at $750 for 20 weeks.
1192 Main Rd., Jamesport, NY 11901
This Peconic farm is entering the CSA space with a 20 week season starting in early June. During pick-up, which is on Fridays and Saturdays, you’ll be able to get your box of fresh produce, plus you’ll have the option to pick your own fresh herbs and a flower bouquet. They are even offering delivery within a 15 mile radius of the farm for an additional fee.
One share is $460 for 20 weeks.
38320 County Rd. 48, Peconic, NY 11958
Garden of Eve’s CSA is one full of choices. The summer share lasts 24 weeks and starts in June. You can pick up weekly or biweekly on Wednesdays, Saturdays or Sundays. You can add on cheese, beer and egg shares. There’s even a one time plant share in May for herbs and vegetables that can be grown at home. Plus, they have pickup sites in New York City and Nassau County.
The weekly vegetable share starts at $29.38 and goes up from there.
4558 Sound Ave, Riverhead, NY 11901, 722-8777
Sylvester Manor Educational Farm
This Shelter Island CSA is run “market style.” Their one size fits all approach allows for everyone to buy one size share and pick out the produce that works best for them. Each week the produce will change based on availability and what’s in season. Pickups for this share will be at the farm on Saturdays from mid June to October. Members who can afford it are encouraged to pay more than the $560 base price; the excess will allow for subsidized and donated shares to create a more accessible program.
80 N Ferry Rd, Shelter Island, NY 11964, 749-0626
A classic choice for a classic CSA is Zilnicki Farms. Through the use of a software called Harvie, members are able to have a choice in what they receive for their CSA. You can order extra produce or indicate what items you never want to see in your share and pick items you do want. You can add on eggs, flowers or a fruit share and they will even partner with businesses for a workplace CSA, where your share can be directly delivered to your work.
The small share starts at $39 weekly.
3675 Sound Ave, Riverhead, 384-0376
This 25-week program offers organic produce for a weekly subscription fee. They have free local delivery or an added fee for further deliveries. They also guarantee that the food you get was picked less than 24 hours before it arrived at your door. They also have two add-on options: a fruit share from Briermere Farms or meat and dairy products from an upstate farm.
Prices start at $24.88 per week.
652 Peconic Bay Blvd, Riverhead, 722-3302
Sep’s Farm offers traditional produce, but with a twist. The pick your own option comes from a menu. Each week, before picking up your CSA box, you’ll receive a list of options to choose from, depending on what they have harvested. Then, stop by the farm and choose your items for that week from the menu. Sep’s also has a pre-packed option, where members can pick up a box with a selection of produce that has been chosen for them. With this feature, there is still an element of choice. When signing up for it at the beginning of the season, you can select three produce items you don’t like, and those items you will never find in your box.
Prices start at $150 for a 10 week small share.
7395 Main Rd, East Marion, 477-1583
