2024 CSA Registration is OPEN
What are CSA programs and why are they so important to small scale community farms? What's in it for me?
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. CSA program participants register and pay for their share during the off season then receive a share of the farm's produce each week of the growing season. This arrangement allows the farm to plan for the year, purchase seeds, and begin paying staff for spring labor before the season begins. In turn the CSA member receives a box of our fresh, hyper local produce each week throughout the season.
Joining the Ohio City Farm CSA is a great way to support local agriculture and gain access to a weekly share of healthy food. The CSA follows the seasons with each week highlighting peak season produce accompanied by weekly newsletters with recipe ideas and friendly staff to guide you through the growing season.
How can I join in?
We offer two sizes of our main season 20-week produce shares (all grown here at Ohio City Farm) as well as 12-week summer flower shares in partnership with Frayed Knot Farm. We also offer a 6-week fall produce share that begins in October.
Whole Share- Our standard share size, this is the best choice for enthusiastic veggie eaters who enjoy cooking at home, those who cook for a family, and those who plan to split their share with a friend. The Whole Share contains an average of 7-10 items per week, in larger quantities than the smaller "Farmer's Choice" share. Pick up in Ohio City or Shaker Heights.
Farmer's Choice Share- The smaller of our two share sizes, the "Farmer's Choice" share is ideal for 1-2 people or a family that cooks at home less frequently. This share contains an average of 5-7 items per week, in smaller quantities than the Whole Share. Pick up in Ohio City or Shaker Heights.
Flower Share- A weekly bouquet of fresh local flowers from Frayed Knot Farm in Newbury, Ohio. Pick up in Ohio City or Shaker Heights. 12 week season begins July 7.
Fall season add-on- A 6 week extension to the end of the CSA season, beginning immediately after the regular season ends in late October. Size varies, but is generally between the size of Farmer's Choice and Whole Shares. Pick up at Ohio City Farm.
Pickup Locations
Ohio City Farm pick up location: Collect your share Fridays 3-6pm or Saturdays 9am-noon. (Fall Shares may only be collected on Saturdays.)
East side pick up location at the Van Aken District in Shaker Heights: Collect your share Fridays 4-6:30pm.
Fair Farm Labor Pricing
Our summer produce shares have 3 levels of pricing using a "Pay What You Can" structure as we work toward our goal of all farm staff earning a minimum $20/hr wage. In 2023, we reached a minimum wage of $15.50/hr with a team average wage of $17.19/hr.
In 2024 we hope to reach an average wage of at least $18.50/hr.
We can reach that goal by selling all shares at the Fair Farm Labor price level. However, we want our shares to remain financially accessible to as many people as possible, so we are also offering an Access price level for those who are unable to afford the Fair Farm Labor price. We hope you will join us at the level you are able.
To help us reach our goal sooner, you can purchase a share at the Farm Champion pricing level, which comes with some special added perks to say thank you!
Click the link below for full details and to purchase your 2024 share.
Example of a Whole Share (left) and Farmer's Choice Share (right)
Flowers from the Frayed Knot Farm flower bouquet CSA
Frequently Asked Questions
Is your produce organic? We farm using all organic practices but are not certified organic at this time.
Can I split a share with a friend? Absolutely! We often have members who sign up with a friend and take turns picking up the share on alternate weeks. This is a great option for anyone who cooks for 1, travels often, or just wants to try out a CSA with a smaller commitment.
What happens if I need to miss a week or am on vacation? Members are encouraged to send a friend/neighbor/colleague to collect their share if they'll be out of town (you'll be very popular with your friends). Members who pick up at the farm can take advantage of our "last chance" pick up time on Monday mornings from 8-10 when the farm reopens the following week. (Monday option is not available for east side shares). Shares that aren't collected are donated to the community through our partnerships with community food distribution programs at MetroHealth, the May Dugan Center, Re:Source Cleveland, and other organizations.
Do you offer curbside pick up? Yes! Sign up for the Ohio City pick up location, pull up in front of our farm stand at pick up time, and we'll bring your share out to your vehicle contact-free.
How is an Ohio City Farm CSA share different from the other weekly produce boxes I could buy? All of the produce in our shares was grown right here on our farm--there's no middle man! That means the price you pay for your veggies goes directly to our team's wages and costs associated with growing the crops themselves. As a part of non-profit organization Re:Source Cleveland, it is our mission to provide well-paying jobs to former refugees. This growing season your CSA membership will provide employment for 7 full time refugee farmers as well as 2 part time support staff.
Have a question not answered on this page? Email Rachel@resourcecleveland.org.
Additional photos can be found in the online store as well as on our Instagram account @ohiocityfarm.
I purchased my share. Now what?
As long as you received an email confirmation of purchase, you're all set! Please check your email for updates in the spring as we get closer to the start of the season. We can't wait to grow for you.
Follow our Instagram account @ohiocityfarm and join the email list below for farm news and updates.