CSA FAQs

 

When is the deadline to sign up for CSA Farm Share?

The last day to sign up for CSA Farm Share is Wednesday, May 31, 2023. 

What is a CSA Farm Share?
Simply put, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a partnership between a farm and a community of supporters that provides you with a direct connection to the farm.

CSA Farm Share members support their local farm by sharing the costs, risks, and bounty of growing food along with the farmer. In return, the farm provides a healthy supply of seasonal fresh produce throughout the growing season.

Becoming a partner creates a responsible relationship between people and the food they eat, the land on which it is grown and those who grow it.

How do I participate in Lyman's CSA Farm Share?

It is easy to join the Lyman Orchards CSA Farm Share. If you are interested in purchasing a share, click here to register. 

What is a share and how much does it cost?

A share is your portion of the farm's harvest or your piece of the crop! Our CSA Farm Share offers both a full share (feeds 4-6 people), a medium share (feeds 2-4 people) and our new bi-weekly share (a medium share that is picked up on a bi-weekly basis). A full share is usually 7-12 different varieties of of in-season, fresh-picked produce the peak of ripeness. The medium and bi-weekly shares are usually 7-10 different varieties of produce. In the first weeks you may receive strawberries and greens. Then throughout the season, you will enjoy a wider variety of fruits and vegetables, including our eco-certified peaches and apples. Our team is dedicated to providing a terrific variety of produce each week.

Share	Duration	Feeds	Price	Weekly Cost
Full	18 Weeks	4-6 people	$755	$42
Medium	18 Weeks	2-4 people	$500	$28
Medium Bi-Weekly	9 Weeks	2-4 people	$305	$34

Payment is due at the time of registration.

Can I see a sample Share?
The following are samples of the quantities and varieties you may find in a weekly CSA basket:

Early-Season Sample Baskets

Mid-Season Sample Baskets

Late-Season Sample Baskets

See something you're not a fan of? Our CSA Farm Share is extremely flexible.  We're more than happy to swap items for you with an item of equal value.

Is a Lyman Orchards CSA Farm Share right for me?
If you have the goal to eat healthily, cook more often, or try new fruits and vegetables, Lyman Orchards CSA Farm Share is a great solution. With CSA, your fruit and vegetable share will vary from week to week depending upon which produce is at the height of readiness.

The beginning of the season starts out with greens and strawberries and naturally becomes more robust and varietal, as the summer and fall bounty of vegetables and fruit grow in. 

You pick up your fruits and vegetables right at the Apple Barrel market, so it is also a great chance to see what else is happening here on the farm.

How will I receive my share?
We will host two days each week where you will be able to pick-up your share at the Apple Barrel Farm Market. At the time of registration, you will choose which day of the week you prefer. Every Tuesday and Thursday beginning in mid-June we will have your share ready for you to be picked up from 10:00am – 6 pm.

While you will be asked to pick a day for the entire season, we recognize that sometimes life gets in the way. If you need to switch days, please let us know in advance and we can be flexible. Anyone can pick up a share for the share owner. If a share isn’t picked up by noon the following day, unless otherwise notified, we will donate it to the local soup kitchen in your name.

Is there a risk with the CSA Farm Share?
Yes. Every day farmers deal with risk. By participating in the CSA Farm Share, you are taking on some of that risk. For example, the weather may negatively impact one or more of our crops, as it did last year with our peaches. However, by partnering with other local farmers for our CSA Farm Share, we are mitigating some of that risk. While we plan to have all crops available during their peak season, we cannot guarantee crop availability. We expect, however, that you will receive a basket filled with delicious and fresh-picked crops to meet the weekly value of your share.

Which other farms will be included in your CSA Farm Share?
While most of your fruits will come from Lyman Orchards, we are partnering with other local farms to provide a greater variety of produce and to mitigate some of the aforementioned risks. Our partner for vegetables and some fruits is Fair Weather Growers located right in Rocky Hill . We may utilize other local farms for our added-value CSA Farm Shares. 

Each week, we will let you know which farm(s) grew the produce in your share.

Will other types of shares be available?
Yes. In addition to your fruits and vegetables share, Lyman Orchards also offers the following optional shares. You can sign up for these shares at the same time you become a member of the fruits and vegetables CSA Farm Share.  Please note that the following add-on CSA's require the purchase of a Full or Medium share. Bi-weekly shares are not eligible to purchase these add-ons.

• Fresh Local Milk 
• Connecticut Cage-Free XL Eggs
• Connecticut Cheeses 

What are the benefits of joining the CSA Farm Share?

• Farm-Fresh – harvested 24 hours or less before pickup - stays fresher longer!
• CT Grown – responsibly grown by local farmers
• Economical – costs less than the grocery store - as low as $24 per week!
• Time Saver – top quality produce hand-selected just for you
• Seasonal Eating – ripe, in-season fruits and vegetables
• Healthy –vibrant and nutrient-rich
• Variety – exposure to different varieties of produce
• Flexible – optional share sizes, add-ons, and pickup times

Are there any other benefits to participating in the CSA Farm Share?
Yes, there are definitely additional benefits to participating in Lyman Orchards CSA Farm Share. In addition to a weekly share of just-picked fruits and vegetables that have been hand-selected just for members, you will also receive:

• 10% off produce in the Apple Barrel Farm Market (if you’re also a Sweet Rewards customer, you’ll get the better price if produce in on special that week)
• A weekly e-newsletter with tips and flavorful recipes for the specific produce in that week’s share, happenings on the farm, updates from our partner farmers, as well as behind the scenes information and stories;
• Unlimited 24/7 access to the CSA-specific recipe website, Cook with What You Have
• Exposure to fruits and vegetables you may not normally include in your meals
• The CSA Farm Share keeps your food money local, providing local jobs, and promotes the continuation of agriculture in our towns.

Who can I contact if I have questions about the CSA Farm Share?
Please contact us at dbujese@lymanorchards.com and we will be happy to assist.