Who we are

Since 2002, Clinton Hill Community Supported Agriculture (CHCSA) has brought fresh, locally grown, organic produce to its members through a partnership with Windflower Farm in Valley Falls, NY. We serve the neighborhoods of Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, and Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, New York and offer a tiered membership plan that allows members with higher incomes to subsidize shares for lower-income households. Members purchase their shares via electronic payment, checks, or EBT.

How does the CSA work?

We partner with Windflower Farm and our Brooklyn neighborhoods

Members buy shares in the spring and receive weekly deliveries of produce directly from Windflower Farm throughout the summer and fall. Purchasing shares pays the farmers when they need it most, and members receive high-quality fruit and vegetables at an accessible price and a direct relationship with the farm. In addition, we partner with organizations and members of our Brooklyn neighborhoods, and we strive to honor and support all members of our diverse community.

We are a CSA for everyone

In order to make the CSA affordable to everyone, we offer three membership plans based on household income and, for members who qualify, payment via EBT (SNAP) benefits. All members can choose between a full share (weekly pickup for 22 weeks) and a half share (pickup every other week).

We are volunteer-run

We keep our costs low by asking all members to volunteer a small amount of their time over the course of the season. To ensure a smooth-running CSA, our Core group volunteers their time to manage everything from communications to finances.

Our 2024 Core Members:

Head Coordinator: Ruth Katcher
Distribution Managers: Jayson Berkshire, Chad Donnick, & Tymberly Canale
Treasurers: Sarah Chinn & Rachael Maingot
Volunteer Coordinator: Kirsten von der Osten
Communications Manager: Chelsea Hartney
Outreach Coordinator: Chelsea Frosini
The Beet Editor: Veronica Forman

Windflower farm

Located in Valley Falls, NY, Windflower Farm is a small organic farm nestled on over 80 acres in the Taconic hill country between Saratoga Springs and the Vermont border. It’s an area made beautiful by the mix of small farms, open fields and wooded landscapes. Windflower Farm has been distributing CSA shares in New York City for 25 years, and all the produce they grow goes to their CSAs. They are Certified Organic through PCO.

More from Windflower:

Follow farm adventures on Instagram @windflowerfarm
Get to know them through their 2021 Welcome Letter and 2022 updates via The Beet
Explore a complete list of Windflower Farms CSAs

Images courtesy of Windflower Farm

FAQs

What is ‘Community Supported Agriculture’ (CSA)?

A CSA is a membership-based program that brings fresh, locally grown, organic produce to its members in partnership with Windflower Farm in Valley Falls, NY. The Clinton Hill CSA serves households in the neighborhoods of Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, and Bedford-Stuyvesant. CSA members buy a share at the beginning of the season and receive weekly/bi-weekly (summer) or monthly (winter) deliveries of produce directly from our farmer. The Clinton Hill CSA offers vegetable shares as well as optional fruit, maple, mushroom, and egg shares. Through Community Supported Agriculture, farms receive money when they need it most (to invest in the season) and members get the highest quality fruits and vegetables and a direct relationship to the people who produce the food they eat. Because there are no wholesalers or retailers involved, members receive the best possible price for their produce.

How does my membership work?

We have 3 levels of membership, based on household income – Apple Plan, Beet Plan, and Carrot Plan. For breakdown of eligibility and cost for each plan, go here.

You pick up your share on Thursdays from 5:00 to 7:30 PM at 218 Gates Avenue (IMPACCT Brooklyn at the Gibbs Mansion). Walk up the driveway to the outdoor patio behind the building. If you have a half-share membership, you will pick up your share(s) every other Thursday. If you have a full-share membership, you will pick up your share(s) every Thursday.

CSA membership also comes with a commitment to 1-2 in-season shifts to support our distribution -- each household has a required work shift to maintain membership (see question below ‘what is a work shift?’)

How do I pay?

We accept payment via Venmo, e-check through PaySimple, or EBT card (for Carrot Plan). We also accept Paypal (additional $10 fee applies).

You can pay for your share in one payment before the season starts, or in three smaller payments throughout the season (April, June, August), or monthly using EBT.

You will be given options for payment when you sign up.

What is a ‘work shift’?

The Clinton Hill CSA is a volunteer-based, member-supported organization, so we rely on members to help us distribute shares throughout the season. All Clinton Hill CSA members with full vegetable shares are required to complete two, two-hour work shifts during the season. Members with half vegetable shares work one, two-hour work shift. This is a great opportunity to learn more about how your CSA works, and to get to know other members! Your work shift is a commitment that you agree to when you sign up, and households that do not complete their shifts will not be able to join again in the future. Children are welcome on site when their parents are doing their work shift commitment; our youngest members can be very helpful, and we only ask that you bring snacks and other things to keep them busy.

Additional questions? Please email volunteer@clintonhillcsa.org for more information.

How do I best store my produce to keep it fresh?

Check out our storage tips here!

If there is extra food at the end of a pick-up evening, where does it go?

Clinton Hill CSA is dedicated to ensuring our food is always serving our community. Depending on the location and specifications of the season, the extra or unclaimed shares go to one or more of our partners at the end of each pick-up night.

I have a half-share, and I can’t pick up one week, can I switch with someone to pick up the next week?

To switch weeks, email the half share Google Group (invitations are sent to all half share members at the beginning of the season). You can also have a friend or neighbor pick up your share (see next question). If you are a member and need help accessing the Google Group, please reach out to information@clintonhillcsa.org.

I have a full or a half-share and I’m out of town one week, can I have someone else pick it up for me?

If you’d like to have someone not already on your CSA account pick up for you (a friend, neighbor, family member), please just have them give your name at the check-in desk at distribution.

Why do I need to join a waitlist to join the CSA instead of signing up directly?

We maintain a waitlist to preserve a fair balance between members who qualify for our different income-based membership levels. Last year's members will always have a chance to join first; then, we'll start inviting people on our waitlist in the order in which they signed up until all slots are filled.