Holton Farms CSA

Holton Farms is a CSA (community supported agriculture) truck that has recently started delivering to Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. I heard about the truck coming to my neighborhood in Astoria on a local website but then noticed the truck across from my office about two weeks ago. I had the pleasure of meeting the friendly staff to learn more about their mission in New York City. They are basically bringing the farm to us urbanites who cannot get out of the city for fresh produce.

For those of you unfamiliar with CSAs, read on...

Holton Farms, located in Westminster, VT, is a family-owned farm run by eighth generation farmers—in other words, they take farming seriously. By practicing sustainable farming methods, their farm produces a diverse selection of agricultural products including vegetables, herbs and fruits, grass-fed beef cows, pigs, cage-free eggs, maple syrup and more!

Their goal is to produce and deliver wholesome food with integrity directly to the consumer. To make this happen, Holton Farms has come up with their own affordable and completely customizable CSA Select program. Their CSA Select program is different in that customers get to choose what and how much they want rather than taking home a box of whatever is given. This cuts down on waste and is also a better value. They've put together a simple diagram to explain how our CSA Select program works



The Holton Farms program will run from May 17 until November 21, bringing seasonal produce to the city each week at various drop-off locations (http://www.holtonfarms.com/map/). Although the season started May 17, you can sign up anytime you want as they do not have a cap on membership and your membership is YOUR money to spend as you see fit. Holton Farms is very excited about the program and think it'll encourage New Yorkers to cook great meals at home with fresh ingredients. More details, including the pricing plans, can be found on their website: http://www.holtonfarms.com/how-to-buy/csa-select/

The best thing about the extensive list of veggies, fruit and other non-grain related products from Holton Farms is that they are naturally gluten-free. They are looking to expand their baked good options to include gluten-free products, so stay tuned for this exciting news!

"The Holton Farms Farm Truck is a progressive mobile farm stand concept, that will operate throughout New York City, to serve as the main distribution point for their CSA Select program and restaurant wholesale clients. The Farm Truck allows access to neighborhoods throughout the Five Borroughs without having to open a store. Serviced by smiling Holton Farms employees dancing to happy reggae beats, the Truck will also sell products retail to non-CSA members assuming they are able to obtain the appropriate permitting from the City. Food Stamps will be accepted at the Farm Truck and prices will be discounted on fruits and vegetables by 20% for low-income New Yorkers."

Drop Off Locations:

• Mondays – Lexington and E96th St (12-1pm), Hunter College between E68th – E73rd St and Lexington Ave (2-3pm), E53rd – E56th St and Park Ave (4-5pm), Grand Central at E39th – E40th St and Park Ave(5:30-7pm)
• Tuesdays – W98th St and Columbus Ave (2:30-3:30pm), Bradhurst Ave and W148th Street (7-7:30PM)
• Wednesdays – 8th Ave and W38th St (4:30-5pm)
• Thursdays – Hudson Heights at W189th St and Cabrini Blvd (8-9am), Bryant Park at W40th St and 6th Ave (12-1:30pm), Columbus Circle at W57th St and 11th Ave & W63rd St and Broadway (4-5:30pm), Verdi Square at W72nd St and Broadway (6-7:30pm), W105th St and Amsterdam Ave (8-8:30pm)
• Fridays – Washington Square Park at E8th St and Broadway (12-1:30pm), 29th St and 5th Ave (2-3pm), Madison Square Park at E24th St between Park Ave and Madison Ave (4-5:30pm), Kips Bay at E32nd – E33rd St and 2nd Ave (6-7:30pm)
• Saturdays – Battery Park City (9-11am)
• Sundays – Long Island City at Arris Lofts (8:45am), Astoria at Steinway & 35th Ave (9-10am), Roosevelt Island (10:30-11:30am), Williamsburg at McCarren Park (12-1:30pm), Park Slope at Flatbush Ave south of Grand Army Plaza (2-3:30pm)

To sign up for a Holton Farms CSA membership, please visit their website. Once you have applied for the CSA Select Program, please send them an email and let them know that Erin S. from Gluten-Free Fun sent you their way. You can email Holton Farms at csa@holtonfarms.com