Cultural Center

Community Supported Agriculture is a partnership between growers and consumers where the responsibilities and rewards of farming are shared.

As CSA farms are directly accountable to their consumer members they strive to provide fresh, high-quality food and typically use organic or biodynamic farming methods. Generally there are more people working on CSA farms than on conventional farms, and some CSAs encourage members to work on the farm in exchange for a portion of their membership costs.

CSA is a shared commitment to building a more local and equitable agricultural system, one that allows farmers to focus on good farming practices and still maintain productive and profitable farms.

How does it work?

At Creekside Cultural Center’s Community Garden, there are several ways to participate in the CSA Project. Some families provide the capitol for the project, through paid shares. Some families provide the work of doing the actual growing of the food, and some do a little of both.

What’s in my box?

A “full” share of food is considered to be about one bushel box, or about 10 typical “bunches” or “items” of fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs per week for the 24-26 week growing season. A “half” share is about half that much. The exact contents of the boxes each week will vary depending on weather conditions, time of year, etc.

A few of the things we are planning to grow are: Snap Beans, Peas, Sweet Corn, Potatoes, Salad Greens, Spinach, Cabbage, Broccoli, Kale, Berries, Beets, Celeriac, Rutabegas, Carrots, Onions, Leeks, Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplants, Mellons, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Winter Squash, and a variety of herbs and flowers. Your share may also include herbal teas or vinegars, or other “value added” products from our gardens.

How do I get my food?

We’ll send you an e-mail each week listing what we expect to have available, along with recipes, tips on preserving your share, and other news from the farm. You can tell us what your preferences are for that week, though we reserve the right to substitute based on the actual harvest amounts for that week.

You will pick up your share once a week, either at Creekside Cultural Center on Friday afternoons or evenings, or at our host family’s home in Plymouth Meeting (just off the major routes of 202, 476 and 276 near Philadelphia) between 6 and 8 pm, tenratively scheduled for Tuesdays. If you are a working member, you may also pick up your food any day that you do your work at the farm.

Paying for my Share

Full shares cost $500 or 80 hours of work for the year, for 24 weeks of participation, and can be picked up at the farm or in Plymouth Meeting.

Half shares cost $250 or 40 hours of work, and can only be picked up at the farm. If you would like a half share, and want to pick up in Plymouth Meeting, you may find a friend to split a share with you!

Money is due in three installments, $100 at sign up, and half of the remainder on each of March and April 15th. If you would like to make alternative arrangements, just let us know, we are flexible, but we must have your payment in full no later than May 15th!

Download a list of seed varieties being grown in the 2010 growing season. Note: Crop failure is an inevitability of farming. Most, but not all seed varieties listed here will be part of your share boxes.

Download and return your membership form today!