How our Market CSA works
We’re excited to announce a new CSA offering for 2025!
We are calling it a “market style” CSA share, available in both small and large share sizes. Our aim is to provide our CSA members with more flexibility in both their shopping days, and produce selection, while providing a discount for CSA members.
Here’s how it will work:
CSA members will choose their share size (small or large) and pre-pay the share price at the farm store. Upon paying, members will receive their own CSA share gift card, which they may use to purchase produce at the farm store, including vegetables, seedlings, berries, tree fruits, citrus, pumpkins, and flowers.
Market share CSA members may use their CSA gift card to purchase the above items anytime the farm store is open, year round.
Think of it like shopping at a farmer’s market- you’ll peruse the farm store and stands, selecting which seasonal produce you’d like, and swipe your CSA gift card to pay. You get to choose what you’d like, and the quantity you’d like, while receiving a discount for being a CSA member!
Keep reading below for small and large share details, including u-pick information!
Market CSA Share Options
Small Shares
Small Market CSA shares are priced at $500.
Small share members will receive a 15% bonus, bringing the pre-paid gift card balance to $575.
The cost of u-pick berries and vegetables is not included in the price of a small share; however, small share members may pick any u-pick vegetables and berries available, and use their CSA share gift card to pay for u-pick.
Large Shares
Large Market CSA shares are priced at $1000.
Large share members will receive a 20% bonus, bringing the pre-paid gift card balance to $1200.
The cost of the following *u-pick vegetables: tomatoes, peas, and string beans, will be free for large share members. When in season, large share members will have the option to pick unlimited (for their family’s use only) amounts of the above vegetables.
U-pick berries will not be free for large share members; however, large share members may pick berries in season and use their CSA share gift card to pay.
*u-pick vegetable success is contingent on weather conditions, like the rest of our produce. We do our best every year to ensure the success of all of our crops, but with farming, there are no guarantees.
How to purchase a Market CSA Share
To purchase a Market CSA Share, please visit the farm store where we will give you a registration form to fill out. Once the form is filled out, you can pay for your market CSA share with cash, check, or card.
You will receive your market CSA gift card upon paying for your share, and you may use your card immediately.
There is a 2.6% credit card processing fee if you wish to pay with card, making the small share price $513 if paying with a credit card, and the large share price $1026 if paying with a credit card.
Pay with cash or check if you’d like to avoid that fee!
FAQs
In short, how does the market CSA work?
We are offering “small” and “large” market CSA shares this year- if you purchase a large share, it costs you $1000 upfront, and you then receive $1200 in store credit (on a gift card) to use on any fresh produce item including vegetables, fruits, seedlings, pumpkins, and flowers. Large shares will also receive free, unlimited (for you/your family’s use only) u-pick on tomatoes, string beans and peas. U-pick for berries and flowers will not be free for large shares, but you may use your market CSA card to pay for berry u-pick.
Small shares cost $500 up front, and receive a 15% discount, so you’ll receive a gift card with $575 to spend on the above items. Small shares will not receive free vegetable u-pick, but may use their market CSA cards to pay for u-pick vegetables, flowers and berries.
If you purchase a market CSA, you will receive a gift card with your balance loaded onto it, so everytime you make a purchase at the farm on the above items, you will simply swipe your card in the farm store and your purchase will be deducted from your balance.
When can I use my market CSA card?
You may use your CSA card at the farm store year round, anytime the store is open. Think of it like a farmer’s market shopping experience, but with a built-in discount and the flexibility to only purchase what you desire.
Does my market CSA card have an expiration date?
Yes, market CSA cards expire October 30, 2026.
Does my u-pick access for large shares expire?
Yes, u-pick access for a large share expires at the end of the season the share was purchased for.
For example- if you purchased your share in the spring/summer of 2025, your u-pick access will expire at the end of the growing season in 2025, regardless of whether or not you have a remaining balance on your card (which may still be used until October 30, 2026 as stated in the question above.
What if I lose my market CSA gift card?
Please call or email us if you lose your card. There is a fee to replace lost cards (2.5% of the existing balance on your card). For instance, if you had $400 balance on your card and needed a replacement, the fee would be $10.
Do I need to bring my market CSA card to the farm store?
Yes, you will need your market CSA card to make a purchase on your CSA account.
How do I purchase a market CSA share?
After reading all of the information above, stop by the farm store to purchase your market CSA share. We have registration forms in the store for you to fill out, and once payment has been made you will receive your CSA gift card.
You may pay for your market CSA share with cash, check, or card. There is a 2.6% credit card processing fee if you wish to pay with card. Pay with cash or check if you’d like to avoid that pesky fee.
Do I have to pay for my market CSA upfront?
Yes, in order to receive the CSA discount, market shares must be paid in full. We are not able to offer payment plans, due to how the gift cards function.
How will we know what’s in season?
During the spring, summer and fall months, Gayle will send out a weekly farm newsletter at the beginning of the week, with recipes, a list of what’s in season, and farm updates.
Is the market CSA refundable?
No, market CSA shares are not refundable. We will do our best to ensure satisfaction, but we will not offer refunds.
Will there be any unlimited, already picked vegetables for share members?
Depending on the weather and growing conditions, there may occasionally be an unlimited produce option for the week, such as zucchini/summer squash.
If so, we will include that in Gayle’s weekly newsletter, so members can plan for preserving/freezing/cooking extra.
Can I add to my card balance?
Yes, if you wish to increase your card balance, you may purchase another small or large share, if we have shares available at that time.
If you had a small share and wish to purchase another small share, you may use the same card as the one you initially received. If you wish to switch share sizes, you may return your old card when the balance has been used, and we will offer a new card for your new share size.
Can I use my market CSA gift card to purchase store items aside from produce?
Market CSA cards may be used to purchase fresh (aka not processed/canned/frozen) already picked vegetables, fruits, seedlings, flowers, pumpkins, and any produce we offer via u-pick.
Market CSA cards may not be used to purchase store items such as eggs, meat, dairy, dry goods, baked goods etc.
If you wish to purchase anything aside from produce, the farm store cashier will simply ring your produce up seperately for you, using your market share card as payment for the produce, and whatever form of payment you prefer to use for the remaining items.
I had a CSA share before. Can I expect the same produce options for the market CSA?
Yes, we plan to grow the same fruits and vegetables as we always have.
Is the produce certified organic?
All of the vegetables, berries, herbs and flowers we grow are certified organic through NOFA-NY. The only produce options that are not certified organic are the local tree fruits from Cornerstone Farm, including apples, pears, peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines, and cherries.