Pittsburgh residents are fortunate to have a vibrant and growing network of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms, connecting residents directly with local farmers and fresh, seasonal produce. As spring approaches, many farms are opening their CSA sign-ups, offering an opportunity to secure a share of the harvest and support sustainable agriculture in our region. Delight in the crisp greens, vibrant vegetables, juicy fruits, and flavorful herbs directly available to you through a CSA. This way, you know where your food is coming from, you save a bit of money and time, plus you get to foster a deeper appreciation for the work of local farmers. Just be sure you sign up before all these farms’ shares are gone!
CSA Farm Sign Ups Near Pittsburgh
Blackberry Meadows Farm
Blackberry Meadows Farm is all about personally raising and growing everything they sell. At this farm in Natrona Heights, you can get a half share or whole share for pickup either at the farm or within the city. With a basic share you can look forward to 20 consecutive weeks of produce, picked up at the farm, from June to October. They even have a garden share where you get a variety of seeds from April to October.
Cherry Valley
If fresh fruits and vegetables are your thing, consider purchasing a CSA share from Cherry Valley in Stroudsburg. Imagine cooking with farm-grown turnips in the springtime and munching on melons during the summer. Cherry Valley’s season runs from June to November and they’ve been in the CSA game since 2007. Their expertise guarantees you weekly pick-up of produce and herbs for 22 weeks.
Dillner Family Farms
Dillner Family Farms may be in Gibsonia, but you don’t have to travel that far for their CSA program. If you choose to pick up on a Wednesday, you have the opportunity to grab your fresh foods from the farm in Gibsonia or at two different locations in Mt. Lebanon. Plus, with the price of eggs currently, you may want to consider their egg share add-on to receive farm-fresh eggs weekly or biweekly.
Harvest Valley Farms
If you want to be able to choose what you’d like to receive, Harvest Valley Farms is the way to go. Their vegetable CSA lets you come to the farm, grab a basket, and explore a table full of ingredients to choose what you want and leave what you don’t. They also have a cheese CSA program where they partner with different creameries to bring you new varieties every week or every other week.
NWPA Growers
What if you could get all the benefits of CSA but with the luxury of receiving that box right at your door? That’s what NWPA Growers provides with a delivery service that you can purchase along with your CSA share. Not to mention, it’s fully customizable so you can pick from just veggies, just proteins, or any combination of the two. Plus, if you’re going to be out of town for the week, your credit remains in your account and rolls over for use whenever you’re ready.
Sarver’s Hill Organic Farm
Choose between a 20 and 24 week CSA share from Sarver’s Hill Organic Farm which begins in May and keeps you full till October. If you’re thinking about purchasing from this Westmoreland farm, we recommend doing so sooner rather than later. When you buy your share before April, you can get a small discount depending on the month you purchase it in. You can also receive an extra discount if you’re a returning CSA member or volunteer.
Who Cooks For You Farm
Your weekly share of a traditional CSA from Who Cooks For You Farm includes a curated selection of cooking greens, salad greens, fresh herbs, fruits and melons, snacking veggies, cooking veggies, and something starchy. But, if you don’t want to trust in the fun of farm surprises, you can try out their customizable CSA share for the summer. Here you can pick out what seasonal vegetables you’ll receive each week.
Oak Hill Farm
While you can get fresh vegetables and fruits at just about any CSA, at Oak Hill Farm you can get premium, USDA-inspected, frozen cuts of angus beef too. Outside of the beef, from May to December you can pick up fresh lettuce mix, seasonal vegetables, and local farm fresh eggs. Oak Hill Farm takes its place about an hour south of Pittsburgh and west of Washington. But, you can always pick up from two different farm markets in McDonald and Carnegie, Pennsylvania.
Edible Earth Farm
Pittsburgh’s Eastern, Northern and Southern communities are able to enjoy home delivery from Edible Earth Farm for an additional fee. But, if you would rather save a few bucks, you can pick up from their host site in Grove City or straight from their farm in Sandy Lake. With one of these subscriptions, you get the chance to order from your phone what fresh foods, canned goods, dry goods, meats, seafoods, dairy products, mushrooms, and soups you want all locally sourced.
McConnells’ Farm & Market
Weekly or every other week in Aliquippa, McConnells’ Farm CSA members can choose the produce and other locally made groceries they will receive. This farm specializes in tree fruit, but also offers a variety of summer and fall vegetables and leafy greens. Plus, CSA members receive a ten percent discount on their share and are also eligible for other deals throughout the season
Story by Kylie Thomas
Photography Courtesy of Elaine Casap
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