Interested in starting a CSA in your area? Just Food can help!

Since 1996, Just Food has helped over 110 CSAs get started across the five boroughs of New York City. Just Food works with farmers, city community members, and organizations to help them create strong vibrant CSAs.

Below are answers to some of the questions that people frequently ask when they are thinking about starting a new CSA in their community. For answers to additional questions, also check out our general FAQs in the CSA Resource Center.

Let Just Food know that you are interested in starting a CSA. Email paula@justfood.org, call 212-645-9880 x233, come to one of our How to Start a CSA workshops or fill out and send in our We'd Like to Start a CSA form.

Check out the fall schedule of How To Start a CSA workshops. Each workshop is the same so choose the one that is most convenient for you.

All of the workshops are offered for free. To RSVP or if you are interested in starting a CSA but are not able to attend one of the workshops please contact to Paula Lukats at 212-645-9880 x233 or paula@justfood.org.

*Check back for a list of neighborhoods where people have already shown interest in starting new CSA sites for 2011. If your neighborhood is listed contact paula@justfood.org to be put in contact with others in that area who want to develop a new CSA.

Frequently Asked Question about Starting a CSA

1. When is the best time to begin thinking about starting a CSA?
2. Am I responsible for finding a farmer for my CSA?
3. Can I start a CSA without other organizers helping me?
4. How many members will we need to have the first year?
5. How do I describe a CSA share to potential members?
6. Can we get products other than vegetables?
7. Do we have to pay for Just Food’s help in setting up our CSA?
8. How do I get started?

When is the best time to begin thinking about starting a CSA?

Start thinking in the fall about a CSA for the following season. We hold Starting a CSA information sessions in the fall and JF matches CSA city groups with farmers in early winter. This allows time for farmers to plan for their new members and for city groups to do outreach and sign up members. See our Timeline for a New CSA for more information about what happens throughout the season.
 

Am I responsible for finding a farmer for my CSA?

No. Just Food has a process for accepting regional farmers into our CSA Network which includes a written application, evaluation by our Farmer Advisory Committee, and a farm visit. Just Food staff spends the fall and winter getting to know new city groups in order to make a good match for them with farmers in our network.
 

Can I start a CSA without other organizers helping me?

You can—but starting a CSA is a bit of work so we recommend that you find one or two other members of your community to help out at the beginning. Eventually, you will want a core group of five to ten people to help with running the CSA. Check back soon for a list of potential CSA sites to see if others in your area have already been in contact with Just Food—maybe you can work together!
 

How many members will we need to have the first year?

A general guideline is that farmers usually ask that you to sell at least 50 full shares to make it worthwhile to drop off at a location. This guideline can be flexible depending on the size of the farm, if the farmer is coming into the same area of the city for other drop-offs, and the probability of the CSA growing in future seasons.
 

How do I describe a CSA share to potential members?

When you meet your farmer you will get more information about her share size and the types of vegetables that she grows so that you can describe it accurately to potential members. If you feel that members of your community would be most happy with a particular size of share or types of vegetables let us know and we’ll keep that in mind when deciding on the right farm for you.
 

Can we get products other than vegetables at the CSA?

Yes, some vegetable farms offer additional product shares such as fruit, eggs, meat or flowers from their farms or from neighboring farms. If the farm you are matched with doesn’t offer these types of shares, you may be able to source these products from other farms. Adding additional product offerings is exciting but adds additional logistic work to managing a CSA. It may be better to take this on in future years.
 

Do we have to pay for Just Food’s help in setting up our CSA?

No. Just Food offers its staff time and resources to new CSA groups at no cost. However, we are a non-profit and would appreciate any support that your CSA is able to give.
 

How do I get started?

• Get the word out to your friends and neighbors that you are thinking of starting a CSA and try to gauge the level of interest in your community.

• Come to one of our Starting a CSA workshops this fall. Click here for the upcoming schedule.

• Start thinking about a possible distribution site in your neighborhood. Finding a distribution location can be one of the most challenging things about starting a CSA—it’s good to start early. For information about what to look for in a distribution site go to our Finding a Distribution Site tipsheet in the CSA Resource Center.

 Let Just Food know that you are interested in starting a CSA. Email paula@justfood.org, or call 212-645-9880 x233 or fill out and send in our We'd Like to Start a CSA form.