CSA Is a Snap
Do you have SNAP benefits?
Would you like to eat more fresh vegetables?
If so, CSA is a SNAP could be for you! We make it a *snap* to use your EBT card to eat healthy and fresh with Poughkeepsie Farm Project. Learn more: Visit us at Sun River Health (75 Washington Street in Poughkeepsie) every Friday from 1-3pm! RSVP
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a relationship between a customer and a farm. As a CSA member, you buy a “share” of the farm, then pick up your “share” of the harvest every week. Together with the Hudson Valley CSA Coalition, Poughkeepsie Farm project is offering “CSA is a SNAP”: a pilot project that offers 50% discounted CSA shares to members who purchase using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits.
Use your SNAP benefits to feed yourself and your family farm-fresh, nutritious and delicious vegetables, grown right here in Poughkeepsie -- all for half the cost! Here's how it works:
1) Visit our farm store to determine whether a HALF or a WHOLE share is right for you
2) Fill out this form
3) Purchase your membership to secure your spot and choose your preferred pickup location & day
4) Start picking up your share every week! Bring your EBT card to pay at pickup ($11 half share / $20 whole share)
As a CSA member, you'll get emails every week letting you know what's in your share, and what choice units you have to choose from at distribution. You'll also get an email every week letting you know what you can pick from our fields (berries, flowers, herbs and more) to get the most out of your share!
Read on to learn more about whether a CSA share is for you.
What is CSA?
Community Supported Agriculture, CSA for short, is a model of seasonal food production and distribution that brings farmers and customers into a relationship. In a typical CSA, customers (members) commit to a farm share up front, when the farm needs capital to purchase seeds and pay labor. When the harvest comes in, members pick up their share of the harvest every week of the growing season. All members are also invited to the farm to pick your own (PYO) berries, herbs, flowers and more!
Ground cherries are one of our PYO crops. Members receive picking tips like these.
What is Pick Your Own (PYO)?
In addition to the crops we harvest for you, which you receive at your distribution pick-up, we also grow crops for you to harvest yourself! All full- and fall-season vegetable CSA shares (both whole and half) are entitled to PYO. Pick your own strawberries, raspberries, cherry tomatoes, tomatillos, hot peppers, beans, flowers and herbs. It's a great way to get outside for some fresh air and to connect with the farm, and can really increase the amount and diversity of food you get in your share.
PYO Strawberries
How does PYO work?
At the start of the main season, you will receive an invitation to sign up for your PYO slot. This slot (for example, Thursday afternoons from noon-4pm) will be yours for the entire season. When PYO crops are ready, you will begin receiving a weekly email telling you what crops are available for picking, how to pick them, how much to pick, and where they are located. You'll arrive at the farm on your designated day, get your pint/quart containers, read the chalkboard for any updates to crop quantities or locations, and go pick! For more information, visit the Pick Your Own page.
What will I get in my share?
Payment with SNAP is available for our Full-Season, Half and Whole shares. Browse all shares here. Each week will be different, depending on the season. Here are some sample shares, along with Pick Your Own additions:
June: lettuce, zucchini, Asian green, cucumbers, garlic scapes. (PYO: 1 quart strawberries, 1 quart peas)
August: Eggplant cabbage, lettuce, watermelon, cucumber, zucchini. (PYO: 1 quart cherry tomatoes, 7 stems flowers, 1 bunch herbs)
September: Lettuce, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, onions. (PYO: 1 pint cherry tomatoes or tomatillos, 1 pint sweet peppers, 10 stems flowers, 1 bunch herbs)
October: Bok choy, radishes, lettuce, sweet potatoes, carrots. (PYO: 10 stems flowers, 5 hot peppers, 1 bunch herbs)
How much does it cost?
Any shares purchased with SNAP dollars receive 50% off the full-value price, and come out to $11/week. Whole shares for $22/week are also available. All shares also require that you purchase a membership, which can be purchased on our farm store by credit card or check.
How do I pay?
When paying with your SNAP benefits, you'll pay each week, when you pick up your share. Be sure to bring your EBT card to your distribution, or pick-up!
What if I need to miss a pickup?
If you are picking up at PFP and you have a planned vacation or other planned, voluntary event, you are welcome and encouraged to make arrangements for a friend or family member to pick up your share instead. If you unexpectedly need to miss a distribution (due to a religious holiday, medical issue or other emergency), you may fill out this form to arrange for a temporary switch. All shareholders receive 3 temporary switches.
If you are picking up at our off-site, City-of-Poughkeepsie location (TBA) and need to miss a week, you may email hellocsa[at]farmproject.org within 3 days of your missed pickup to request to pick up a double share either the week prior to or after your missed share. All shareholders receive 3 temporary switches. Alternatively, you may send a friend or family member with SNAP benefits and an EBT card to pick up your share instead.
Any shares not picked up will be donated to our neighbors in need as part of our FoodShare program, and won't go to waste.
CSA Member Angela picking up at our drive-thru distribution
When and where do I pick up my share?
Shares will be available for pick-up in early June at PFP at 51 Vassar Farm Lane Poughkeepsie.
If you have purchased a CSA share, expect to receive more information about picking up your share (via the primary shareholder’s email) about 3-4 weeks prior to your start date. Visit our farm store to browse pickup locations, dates and times.
CSA member with PYO beans (taken pre-COVID)
What if I lose my SNAP benefits? Will there be a fee?
There is no fee or penalty if your SNAP benefits change. While we hope you will stay with your share for the full season, you are not financially responsible for the remaining weeks of your share if you are unable to continue. If you lose your SNAP benefits and would like to continue with your CSA share, email hellocsa[at]farmproject.org.
To check if you are eligible for SNAP following a move, change of income, or other life event, visit Dutchess County Community Family Services (DCFS). You may also apply in person at the DCFS Main Office at 60 Market Street, Poughkeepsie or at Dutchess County Community Action Partnership at 77 Cannon Street in Poughkeepsie.
If you are in need of food now, consider support from one of our FoodShare Partners:
Beulah Baptist Church Soup Kitchen, 92 Catherine Street (845-473-1662)
Dutchess Outreach Food Pantry and Lunch Box, 29 North Hamilton Street
Salvation Army Breakfast Program, 19 Pershing Ave (845-471-1210)
You may also consider the following resources:
Community Action Partnership of Dutchess County food pantry
Food Bank of the Hudson Valley
How do I sign up?
Get started today! Fill out this form.
This work is supported by GusNIP grant #2019-70030-30397 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.