The local food movement is happening in Queens too. Brooklyn Grange, which happens to be in LIC, is a one acre rooftop farm that sells to CSAs, restaurants, and the public. Butcher Bar in Astoria brings local, sustainably farmed meat to the borough (here’s a review by Serious Eats). And we have the oldest continually operating farm in the state, Queens County Farm. On Huff Post, you can read a profile on one of the farmers.

Besides farmers markets, Queens also has 15 neighborhood CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) programs you can be a part of.

CSA Astoria Queens

Not sure what a CSA is? Members get a portion of a farm’s weekly harvest by making a seasonal investment. Rather than choosing the week’s groceries at the supermarket, whatever’s harvested on the farm that week is what you get — the mystery is part of the fun.

CSA share at Astoria CSA Queens

 

Menu at Astoria CSA Queens

Queens’ CSAs span from Astoria to Ozone Park, with produce coming from farms in New Jersey, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and farther upstate. For example, Astoria CSA sources from Briermere Farm and Golden Earthworm Farm (their website conveniently lists the weekly harvest) on Long Island, and serves as the pickup location for Lewis Waite Farm upstate.

Even restaurants are getting in on the benefits of CSA membership. Queens Kickshaw, whose delicious gouda sandwich was featured in last week’s post on Astoria’s best sandwiches, partners with Astoria CSA for its beer and coffee.

Here’s a helpful guide to neighborhood CSAs from Edible Queens, as well as a list of CSA locations from Queens Buzz.

 

All photos: Flickr Creative Commons – Astoria CSA Flickr pool

 

Joanna Eng is a Sunnyside-based writer covering arts, culture, and all things green. She loves biking, books, public parks, and Southeast Asian vegetarian food.


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