Frequently Asked Questions
What is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)?
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), at its most basic, is an agreement between the grower and the consumer. CSA members make a commitment to support the farm through their growing season by paying in advance for a portion of the farm’s produce. This creates a season-long relationship between the farm and its CSA community. CSA members know exactly where their food comes from and receive a whole season's worth of fresh, organically grown produce.
What makes The Farm at Moose Hill unique?
We farm with the health of our adjacent woods, meadows, ponds, and vernal pools firmly in mind by actively stewarding these natural areas for birds and other wildlife. Purchasing a CSA share at the farm at Moose Hill not only supports our farming program, but also Mass Audubon’s overall mission to protect Massachusetts’ biodiversity and ecosystems.
Additionally, education is an important component of our farm which is why we offer volunteer opportunities, work shares, and a pick your own experience to help the community develop deeper connections with their food.
What size is a vegetable share?
We recommend the full share for 3-4 people and the small share for 1-2 people. Share size recommendations depend on cooking preferences and how central vegetables are to your diet.
Where and when do I pick-up my CSA Share?
CSA shares are distributed at two locations, one in Sharon and one in Mattapan. Pickup in Sharon is at the Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary farm barn, while pickup in Mattapan is at the Boston Nature Center.
CSA members select which day they want to pick up their produce when they sign up for their share. Sharon pickups take place on Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:30-6:30 pm, and Mattapan pickups take place on Thursdays from 3:00-6:00pm.
Please note that CSA members will need to bring their own bags or containers to collect their share at either location.
What can we expect in each share?
In late spring, we celebrate the start of the program with tender leafy greens, spring onions, head lettuce, radishes, and other early crops. As the fields warm in the height of summer, volume and variety will grow to include tomatoes, sweet corn, carrots, peppers, melons, cucumbers, summer squash, and more! Finally, fall brings us winter squash, sweet potatoes, kale, cabbage, and broccoli. Here are some sample shares from 2022.
- Small Share - June: Bunch of collards, bunch of turnips, bunch of spring onions, 2 broccoli, 2 bok choy, 6 garlic scapes, pint of strawberries, half pound of snow peas, pint of snap peas.
- Small Share - August: Bunch of kale, bunch of basil, 1 bag of string beans, 2 summer squash, 1 watermelon, 1 cantaloupe, choice of 4 pounds of tomatoes, choice of 4 peppers, pint of cherry tomatoes, 3 ears of corn, 2 onions.
- Small Share - October: Bag of salad greens, bunch of kale, bunch of turnips, 2 peppers, 3 pounds of sweet potaotes, 2 pounds of green tomatoes, 2 butternut squash, 2 garlic.
- Full Share - June: Bunch of collards, bunch of turnips, bunch of spring onions, 4 broccoli, 3 bok choy, 12 garlic scapes, quart of strawberries, 1 pound of snow peas, quart of snap peas.
- Full Share - August: Bunch of kale, bunch of basil, 2 bags of string beans, 3 summer squash, 1 watermelon, 2 cantaloupes, choice of 6 pounds of tomatoes, choice of 6 peppers, pint of cherry tomatoes, 6 ears of corn, 3 onions.
- Full Share - October: Bag of salad greens, bunch of kale, bunch of turnips, 3 peppers, 6 pounds of sweet potatoes, 4 pounds of green tomaotes, 3 butternut squash, 3 garlic.
How does pick-your-own work?
As the season progresses, we offer pick-your-own (PYO) opportunities. CSA shareholders are eligible to participate in PYO on their distribution day at no additional cost. PYO happens during the same hours as distribution. PYO info will be available in the farm barn as well as distributed via the weekly CSA email.
Can I pick up my share on one day and do pick-your-own on another day?
Pick-your-own is considered a normal part of your distribution so any pick-your-own activity must happen during your regularly scheduled distribution time. There are times when shareholders may choose not to participate in the pick-your-own option due to their own time constraints, weather, or interest in a particular crop. We cannot make switches to accommodate changes in schedules, weather, or interests of the shareholders.
What if I can’t make it to my regularly schedule pick-up time?
If you cannot make it on a certain week, we invite you to send a friend, family member, or neighbor to collect your share.
What if I miss my regularly schedule pick-up time?
All shareholders receive a confirmation when they register for our CSA. This confirmation contains all the dates for your pick-up. We suggest that you mark your calendars so that you do not miss a week. If you do miss a week, we are unable to allow you to “double up” the following week and we cannot refund money for a missed week.
Do I need to be a Mass Audubon member?
Yes, if you are not already a Mass Audubon member, we ask that you become one in order to participate in our CSA program. You can sign up at the time of registration or purchase a membership on its own. With your Mass Audubon membership, you gain access to over 50 sanctuaries throughout the state as well as discounts on purchases in the Audubon Shop and discounts if you choose to take a program. For more information on our programs, pick up a program brochure at the admissions area or go online!
Is there a work-share component or work hours associated with my share?
Work share opportunities are completely optional. We offer CSA Distribution Work Shares and Field Work Shares in exchange for a full or small share, respectively. If you’re unable to make the full season commitment, we plan on hosting community volunteer days, announced through the newsletter, as needed.
Can I purchase a share with my SNAP benefits?
Yes! Discounted CSA shares are available for anyone wanting to pay with their SNAP benefits. We are also able to offer HIP benefits for the 2023 season! Please email us or call us at 781-486-3063 for pricing and additional information.