Last Chance: Get Your Share of Fresh Produce

If you've ever wished you could get your produce straight from the farm to your kitchen you're in luck.

The Ditmas Park Community Supported Agriculture (DP CSA) project has just extended their sign up deadline for 2012 growing season until April 22. That means you've got 10 more days buy your piece of the farm, as it were.

"Basically what it is is, we are not a farm, but we are in partnership with a local farm," said Kerry Salvatierra, a core member of the DP CSA.

"So the general idea of community supported agriculture is that a bunch of people, generally in an urban area, form a partnership with a farm or a group of farms. And the consumers buy a share in the farm," she said. "And then what happens is that during the season the farmer delivers a box of produce to all the people in the CSA."

When the harvest comes the goods are delivered that day to a kind of exclusive farmer's market. The food is delivered near the Flatbush-Tompkins Congregational Church near the corner of E. 19th and Dorchester Road. When you go to pick up your share you'll be issued a pre-weighed box of produce, and given the opportunity pick up any extra items you've paid for.

"As fresh as you can get," said Salvatierra.

Membership is limited to about 200 shares.

"We're accepting our accepting our applications now, a half share or a full share," she said. Full shares go for $600, and a half share goes for $400.

"My husband and I, we get a half share. But a family of four or five might get a full share," she said.

In addition to vegetables, the CSA also offers fruits, eggs, and as of last year a jarred goods share.

"(The farmer) jars salsas, sauces, pickles, honey," and other items said Salvatierra.

In the future the CSA is considering offering meat and dairy, as well as a low-income share program.

The group is also looking for volunteers to help run the organization. But at the moment the focus is on getting more fans of farm-fresh food signed up for this year's growing season.

"We're really trying to make a last push right now to get all the shares that our farmer needs." 

For more information visit their website at www.dpcsabrooklyn.com