Let’s face it: the American food system is in a precarious place right now. Between egg shortages, skyrocketing prices, and never-ending product recalls, shopping for healthy, affordable, delicious food feels as challenging as ever. In the face of so much unpredictability and insecurity on the national scale, there has never been a better time to invest in your local food system. The easiest (and tastiest) way to do so is by joining a community supported agriculture (CSA) program to purchase your produce directly from small independent farms.
“During the pandemic and the recent egg shortage, we all saw how easily the global food system can be disrupted,” says Ruby Kohn, the business manager at Siena Farms in Sudbury, MA. “Supporting local farms like Siena Farms helps build a more resilient, dependable food supply close to home.” Located just 20 miles west of Boston, Siena Farms is a family-owned, 50-acre operation that has been sustainably cultivating high quality vegetables, mushrooms, and flowers since 2005.
Owned and operated by Chris Kurth, whose family has maintained the farm since 1975, Siena Farms is committed to sustaining a vibrant local food economy. This goal is achieved through distribution to farm-to-table restaurants like Cambridge’s Oleana and Sofra Bakery (both run by Kurth’s wife Ana Sortun); partnerships with charitable organizations like Sanctuary for Families to increase equitable food access; and, of course, by bringing fresh food directly to its CSA members.
Join Siena Farms’ Community Supported Agriculture Program
Signing up for the Siena Farms CSA, which delivers to Brooklyn year-round, is a fantastic way to support sustainable agriculture –– with the added benefit of receiving the freshest produce possible. “When you invest in your local farm, you’re helping create a food system that can weather uncertainty and keep nourishing the community,” says Kohn. At the heart of the Siena Farms CSA program is the vegetable farm share, available in two sizes: the 5-8 lbs “small” box, which is perfect for individuals and couples, and the 8-12 lbs “classic” box, which is recommended for avid cooks and larger households.
In each box you’ll find a bountiful assortment of freshly picked farm veggies, such as green garlic and radishes (spring), cucumbers and tomatoes (summer), cauliflower and butternut squash (autumn), and cabbage and carrots (winter).
Sign up for a monthly subscription, which can be cancelled at any time, or take advantage of discounted rates when joining for a full 12-week season, or the entire year. If receiving a box of mystery veggies seems daunting, don’t worry. “We send out a newsletter every week that details what’s in the box, includes updates from the farm, and suggests recipes for that week’s veggies,” says Kohn.
If you’re in the market for more than just vegetables, Siena Farms also offers a mushroom lover’s share year-round for true fungi fanatics. There are also season-specific shares, such as farm greens and colorful tulips in the spring, as well as sweet corn and fruit, tomatoes, dahlias, and sunflowers in the summer and fall. Though the spring season is already well underway, new members can still sign up for available shares at a prorated price –– including the limited edition Farmer’s Breakfast Box, which is filled with premium breakfast staples from regional partners, like farmstead cheese, fresh-roasted coffee beans, and a dozen local eggs.
Siena Farms is now offering a discount for our Edible Brooklyn readers!
Use code EDIBLE10 for 10% off all NYC Farm Shares!
Enjoy Easy Weekly Pickups and Home Delivery from Siena Farms
With eight convenient CSA pickup locations, it has never been easier for New Yorkers to access fresh and delicious produce directly from Siena Farms. “We believe that an emphasis on soil health as well as freshness makes a real difference in the flavor, nutrition, shine, and storage quality of our produce,” Kohn says. When signing up for your shares online, choose between weekly shares, delivered to the city every Thursday, or flex shares available on alternating weeks of your choice.
Then, select your preferred pickup location: La Boite (Hell’s Kitchen), BKLYN Larder (Barclays Center), Floral Fromage (Bushwick), Mile End Deli (Boerum Hill), Radicle Wine (Clinton Hill), R&D Goods (Prospect Heights), Thea Bakery (Fort Greene), and Vineapple Cafe (Brooklyn Heights). You also have the option of convenient home delivery to any Brooklyn or Manhattan address. “When you eat locally, you’re not just getting better food,” says Kohn, “you’re supporting a food system that cares for people and the planet.”
