What is a farm share?
Over the last several years, farm shares have become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of "shares" to the public. Typically, the share consists of an assortment of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a "membership" or a "subscription") and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the growing season. Through this arrangement, small farmers are able to directly market their produce to the community and the community, in turn, is able to directly support its local farmers.

Why purchase a farm share?
Farm Share members sign up early in the season allowing the farmer to plan production to precisely meet customer needs. Receiving payments early on in the season allows for the cash flow needed to fund the majority of expenses for the season such as purchasing seeds, soil amendments, and tools. In our case, revenue of shares directly supports student farm workers, providing hands-on learning opportunities for students interested in practicing sustainable agriculture. Farm Share members help kindle connections within the community and create opportunities for the farmer to get to know the people who eat the food they grow. This model allows members to strengthen their relationship with the land through the food they eat, knowing that their food was grown at the Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP) in commune with the cycles of nature.

How do the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm shares work?
Members are able to choose when they want to receive the seasonal bounty from four different sessions ranging from May to mid-November, and how much produce they want from two different share sizes: full and half share. Every week, members can pre-order their shares through an emailed form or receive a standard packed share. Each CSA share includes a variety of seasonal vegetables that were freshly harvested and packed by SAP student interns and farm crew members.

Farm Share Sessions: 

• Session One: May 6th - June 10th (6 weeks) 
• Session Two: June 17th - August 5th (8 weeks)
• Session Three: August 12th - September 30th (8 weeks)
• Session Four: October 7th - November 11th (6 weeks) 

Samples of Shares (Half Shares contain approximately half the amount of a Full Share)

• Session One Full Share: Spinach, Arugula, Garlic Ramps, 2 Lettuce heads, Bundle of Radishes, Bundle of Turnips, Peas, Cilantro, Basil Plant. 

• Session Two: Full Share: 2 Lettuce Heads, 2 Bundles of Kale, Swiss Chard and/or Collard Greens, Scallions, Peas, Bundle of Beets, Broccoli, 2 Cucumbers, Bundle of Turnips or Radishes. 

• Session Three: Full Share: 2 Bundles of Kale, Swiss Chard and/or Collard Greens, Garlic, Onion, 2-3 Summer Squash, Heirloom Tomatoes, Cherry Tomatoes, Beans, 2 Cucumbers, 2-3 Bell Peppers, 1-2 Eggplant. 

• Session Four: Full Share: 2 Bundles of Kale, Swiss Chard and/or Collard Greens, Onion, Leek, Scallions, Winter Squash, Baby Kale, Spinach, Bundle of Radishes or Turnips, Bundle of Beets or Cilantro. 

All Shares are subject to change depending on yields and available produce.

Allendale Campus Delivery
As of 2024, Allendale campus delivery is complimentary! Your produce will be brought right to your office door or campus apartment with our campus delivery service. Shares will be delivered on Wednesdays between 10:30 am - 2:00 pm.

Downtown Grand Rapids Pick-Up

Farm shares can be picked up at our partner location, the Social Justice Center in DeVos Building C anytime on Tuesday afternoon after 2:00 pm or anytime on Wednesday.