On Saturday, March 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., East End Food and the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY) will host a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Fair at East End Food’s headquarters at 139 Main Road, Riverhead.
The event invites the public to meet local farmers face-to face, learn about their growing practices and CSA programs, and perhaps find a farm share that fits their household and lifestyle.
A CSA share connects farmers and consumers through subscriptions to a farm for the season. The farmer is paid in advance for a share of the harvest and is able to use the upfront funds to cover their seasonal startup costs, like market fees, seeds and new supplies. In return, members receive a weekly or biweekly box of fresh, in-season produce — sometimes with optional add-ons like eggs, bread, flowers, milk or meat — throughout the season.
Besides fabulously fresh, more nutritious food, CSAs grow a relationship between farmers and members. Many farms invite members to pick up their shares onsite, attend special events or try new recipes featuring the fruits and vegetables they supply. The in-season produce is often organic or biodynamically grown and has a low carbon footprint, since it travels fewer miles to the consumer.
“Our microgreens subscription is integral to our operation,” says Nicole Petti, owner of Urban Coyote Farm in Wading River. “It allows us to plan what to grow better, and that means you get the highest quality microgreens at the best price delivered right to your door.”
Most farms offer full shares, which typically feed 2 to 4 people, and half shares, which feed 1-3, for anywhere from 12 to 26 weeks. Depending on the length of the share and add-on items, CSA prices on the North Fork can range from $250 for a half share to well over $1,000 for 26 weeks of full-share pickups, with add-ons and delivery.
Farms that will attend the CSA Fair on Saturday include Deep Dive Farm in Mattituck, Garden of Eve Organic Farm of Riverhead, Golden Acres Organic Farm in Jamesport, Green Thumb Organic Farm in Water Mill, Natural Earth Organic Farms in Calverton, Pendleton’s Harvest Moon Farm of Riverhead, Quail Hill Farm in Amagansett, Soul Creations of Mattituck, Urban Coyote Farm of Wading River, and Zafferano Farm of Mattituck, with a few additional farms still to be confirmed.
While construction continues on the East End Food’s kitchen and infrastructure, the nonprofit has received a temporary certificate of occupancy to hold pop-up events this season. Upcoming programs include Tax Day assistance for farmers and farm employees on March 18 from 5-7 p.m. and on April 1 from 5-7 p.m., and a new farmers market schedule.
Farmers markets, which are currently held at Twin Fork Beer Company in Riverhead, will resume at East End Food on the third Saturday of each month from March to May: March 21, April 18, and May 16 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Shop for goods from your favorite local farms alongside food, beverage and craft vendors, and stay tuned for more events to come this season.
For more information about the CSA Fair and upcoming events, check East End Food’s website or follow their social media.
East End Food, 139 Main Road, Riverhead, 631-204-3292
