porter farms

CSA stands for "community-supported agriculture". The idea behind it is simple: individuals share the costs, risks and bounty of growing food in an environmentally-friendly fashion. The concept first appeared in the U.S. in the early 80’s, when people sought higher quality foods available from local sources.

The meaning of "community-supported agriculture" as it relates to the mission of our program here at Porter Farms is as follows: CSA participants, through their membership, help pay for seeds, compost, irrigation supplies, equipment maintenance, fuel, labor, etc. In return, the farm provides, to the best of its ability, 22 weeks of fresh, certified organic produce throughout the growing season.
 
Our CSA began with 100 member families in 1996, and now includes nearly 1000 member families from all across the Western and Central New York regions. In 2013, we are proudly celebrating our 18th year of providing fresh, organic produce to our valued members. Though we have wholesale accounts, our CSA is and will always remain our top priority.

The main benefit of CSA is that it keeps farmers connected with local consumers. Food in the U.S. travels an average of 1,300 miles to get to your dinner table, often remaining in storage for weeks or even months before being shipped across the country. Your membership in our CSA represents a viable alternative to this "long distance" relationship with your food.

We pride our CSA on listening to the desires of our membership and attempting to tailor our offerings to meet their needs. For example, in 2009, we planted fruit trees and berry bushes in response to customer requests. While it's an expensive undertaking, we recognize the value in expanding our program for the benefit of our membership. We look forward to incorporating these fruits into our program this season! As the CSA grows, so, too, do the offerings we are able to provide.

Ready to sign up? Please check the FAQ carefully to make sure you understand the parameters of the program. Then just click here to join!