WHAT IS A CSA?

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. It is a financial model of running a farm where customers pay for their “share of the harvest” upfront, then receive produce “dividends” as it becomes available. We, the farmer, benefit by receiving payments at the beginning of the growing season, when we need them the most, to buy seeds and supplies to produce food. This reduces the interest costs of loans to begin the season. The CSA partnership is good for you, good for the farm, and good for our earth.

HOW WE GROW?

Marini Farm has been growing fresh food for our community since 1928. We are currently the largest vegetable grower in the North Shore, growing over 100 acres of sweet corn as well as 100 acres of mixed vegetables. We grow on our own property as well as lease land from private landowners, the town of Ipswich, and the state of Mass. Food safety and land conservation is at the highest priority of our operation. We were one of the first farms in the country to adopt the Integrated pest management program (IPM) as a growing practice. Through our IMP program we use many sustainable growing strategies, we use the least amount of pesticides possible and use many alternative and organic techniques. For example, we plant our crops on biodegradable plastic, this reduces the need for herbicides, warms the soil for faster growth as well as keeping the crop clean. We use drip irrigation for our irrigation, this practice maximizes water conservation, reduced disease and transfers water directly to the roots were the plants needs it most. Composting is another important IPM strategy we use on our land. All our fields are monitored weekly by a professional (IPM) scouts. We do not grow genetically modified crops therefore the use of round up is not needed in our growing practice. Land is a vital resource for our vegetable operation, and its care and conservation are our number one priority. As the third generation operating Marini Farm it is my goal to keep our farm growing for many years into the future. We raise our three small children on our farm’s food so food safety is near and dear to my heart. It is my commitment to continue to grow the safest, freshest food possible.

WHAT ARE THE SHARE SIZES AND HOW MUCH DO THEY COST?

There are two share options – a large and a small, both run for 18 weeks starting in June. Large shares will comfortably feed most 4-5 people. Large shares cost $750 and will have a weekly value of about $50 on average. Small shares will comfortably feed most 2-3 people. Small shares cost $400 and will have a weekly value of approximately $25 on average. Both share options will provide families with a variety of fresh, locally grown produce at a great savings.

WHY JOIN MARINI FARM’S CSA?

1) Receive fresh locally grown delicious vegetables and fruit. 2) Connect with your local grower. By investing you are helping to preserve the largest growing vegetable farm on the Northshore that has been your local farm for 90 years. 3) Allows you to try a full variety of fruit and vegetables. 4) Reduce your carbon footprint. Local produce travels far less than grocery store produce (an average of 1,500 miles less!) 5) To buy the same quality product received in the CSA, you would have to spend 20-50% more money than the cost of the share.

WHY ARE SPECIFIC PAYMENT DUE DATES CHOSEN?

A CSA is designed to help absorb the yearly start-up costs that beginning the growing season entails. Our growing season begins in our greenhouses in the early part of February and our planting in the fields in March. By receiving payment by March we hope to be able to pay for the cost of seeds and lessen the yearly start up loans. By May we are now paying a full staff to plant and maintain the growing crops on more than 250 acres. This is how we grow the quality of produce that has come to be expected of Marini Farm.

WHAT PRODUCE ARE INCLUDED?

WHEN ARE SHARES DISTRIBUTED?

Shares will be distributed on Wednesdays from 10 AM – 6:30 PM. If you are unable to pick up your share you may designate someone to pick up for you. If you are running late and will not be at the farm prior to our 6:30 PM closing we recommend that you call ahead of time to let us know that you are on your way. If you miss your pick up we are unable to carry over your share to the next day or credit you for the next week.

CAN I SIGN UP AFTER THE LAST PAYMENT ON MAY 11TH IS DUE?

Yes. If space is available at the time your application is received we will contact you to work out a payment plan to get your membership started as soon as possible. However, since we pride ourselves on quality and customer service, if your application is received and our membership for the 2020 growing season is full we will put you on the waiting list for the 2021 growing season.

WILL ALL THE PRODUCE COME FROM MARINI FARM?

We expect to grow the majority of the produce you will receive from our CSA. If we find the need to bring in produce, it will only be high quality produce from other premium local growers with whom Marini Farm has cultivated partnerships.

WHAT IF I RECEIVE SOMETHING I DO NOT LIKE OR WANT?

Our CSA program includes a swap system. You will receive your share upon your arrival. If there is something you do not want, you may put it on our swap table and choose something else that is on the table. The swap table will be filled with excess produce from the fields and stand. For example, on a pick-up day we may have an excess of carrots in the stand, but not enough carrots to provide for the entire CSA. We will put some carrots on the swap table. The swap table is on the honor system assuming that you will put back onto the table approximately what you have taken off. This allows all of our CSA members the opportunity to enjoy the option of the swap table throughout the day.

WHY WOULD I WANT TO JOIN A CSA IF I CAN SHOP ANYTIME IN THE STORE?

A CSA fosters a commitment and relationship with your local farm. You become committed to buy and eat local all season. It also allows you to try new things that you normally might pass up just because you have never been introduced to it before.