Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CSA?CSA Stands for
Community Supported Agriculture. A CSA is an arrangement between a small farmer and a group of consumers who want fresher, healthier produce. Each CSA member buys a "share" before the beginning of the growing season and when the harvest begins the farmer delivers the fresh produce weekly. The CSA has a partner relationship with our farmers and we share in the rewards and risks throughout the growing season.
Think of it like pitching in on a one year lease of a farm, you own a "share" of everything that the farm produces during the growing season, and it is delivered weekly to you. The vegetables are picked the day before distribution and are organically and locally grown. This insures that CSA members like you receive the fresh, healthy, and sustainable produce.
What is the administration fee?
The administration fee is used to pay for rent, supplies for the distribution site, other fees such as the cost of banking and other unforeseen expenses. The administration fee is not used for labor costs (since the CSA is run entirely by volunteers), and does not benefit any one individual.
How do I pay for my share in the CSA?
Full payment is due when you join. Payment can be made by check or cash.
Please mail to:
Hellgate CSA
2268 31st Street
Unit 5823
Astoria, NY 11105
What if I can't pay for the full share up front?
We have a limited number of payment plans available, please ask.
What other options are available for lower income members?Hellgate CSA continues to explore various funding options to make CSA shares more affordable to lower income members. Many CSAs find ways to make a certain number of shares more affordable, and we ask Hellgate members to consider contributing to this effort.
We use contributions donated by members to subsidize a number of shares for low-income members.Your contributions are the base which enable us to continue fund a number of low-income shares every year. Any contribution you give will be used exclusively toward this effort. Please
contact Hellgate CSA if you are a member and believe you may qualify.
Qualifications
How do I get my vegetables?
You pick up your vegetable share weekly, on Tuesdays, between 4:45 - 7:45 p.m. at Steinway Reformed Church 4101 Ditmars Blvd, corner of Ditmars and 41st Street. We encourage you to meet your CSA neighbors and be neighborly! Offer to pick up for someone or ask someone to pick up for you one week!
What does a weekly share look like? The share includes around 12 items that have been harvested less than 24 hours before they reach your table. The share changes from week to week based upon what fruits and vegetables are in season. For images our past share take a look at our
Instagram Page @hellgatecsa
Do I have to do anything else? YES! (Volunteering)
Our CSA is run on a volunteer basis - there are no paid employees. CSA members are required, as part of their commitment to the CSA, to sign up to volunteer for at least one shift per vegetable and fruit share. Volunteer shifts revolve around 1) setting up the distribution, weighing fruit and 2) helping run distribution during the season. You'll sign people in, identify the produce for the week, and get a chance to meet people in your community!
Why do I have to volunteer?
Because the CSA has no paid employees, we ask that every member help when and how they can. If you cannot meet your volunteer requirement during the season, you will be required to purchase a volunteer waiver of $50.
Where do the vegetables come from? The Hellgate CSA has a relationship with Hepworth Farm in Milton, NY. The farm delivers the shares to our distribution site weekly, June through November. You can find more information on our farms on our
About Hellgate CSA page.
What is the Hellgate? Why such a funny name? The Hell Gate Bridge is Astoria's most beautiful landmark (ok, well we think so). Built in 1916 over the Hell Gate channel (named for its turbulent and deadly current), it was the largest steel-arch bridge in the world. The Hell Gate Bridge was last restored in 1996 when it was repainted "Hell Gate Red." More about the bridge and its colorful history can be found on its
wikipedia page.
Still have questions?
Send us an e-mail and we'll try to answer your question as best as we can. Maybe we'll even add it to this page!