What's New at the Chelsea CSA?

Welcome to the Chelsea Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project.

We are proud to be entering our eighth year of bringing locally grown, affordable produce to the Chelsea community. Shareholders are also eligible to order pastured meats, poultry and cheese year-round.

The Chelsea CSA is a partnership between Stoneledge Farm in South Cairo, NY and community members of Chelsea on the West Side of Manhattan. The CSA enables members of all economic backgrounds to enjoy farm-fresh organic vegetables while supporting local agriculture. We receive space and support services for this effort from Hudson Guild, a non-profit settlement house serving Chelsea since 1895. The Chelsea CSA project was begun at Hudson Guild in Spring 2000. The Guild sponsors the Chelsea CSA with the goal that it will become a more independent organization in the coming years.

Message from the CSA Core Group

Upcoming Events

Chelsea CSA Seasons in the News

Get Involved!

PS 11’s FARM MARKET

EVERY Wednesday morning from 8-12
June 18th-November 28th
in front of PS 11, 320 W 21st Street, between 8th & 9th Avenue
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - here's a flyer with more info

See The Chelsea CSA Video!


Chelsea CSA Video from Elaine Mak on Vimeo.

Message from the CSA Core Group

Greetings, Everyone-
Distribution is underway each Tues from 4-7pm at the Hudson Guild's Elliot Center - 441 West 26 Street between 9th & 10th Avenues (closer to 10th on north side of street). Please remember to BYOB (bring your own *bags*) along with extra plastic ones to augment our limited supply. We encourage using non-plastic "green" alternatives if at all possible.

Chelsea CSA has now reached Stoneledge Farm's ability to provision us with produce. We have close to 90 vegetable shares, a (somewhat startling) growth rate just over 17% from last year. We've also begun to forge partnerships beyond Hudson Guild & Just Food. Our pre-season event was co-sponsored by Slow Food & featured catering(!) by the women of Hot Bread Kitchen. Deb came down from Stoneledge Farm & the Just Food folks made appearances along with Sherri Brooks Vinton, author of "The Real Food Revival."

Joseph Ketant is new this year as site manager, building on Jim Stein's work as distribution coordinator in prior seasons. Core Group members will be on hand from time to time, fielding comments on the distribution process so we can work with Joseph to improve it as we move forward with many more shareholders. Linda Crosby, our stalwart volunteer coordinator, will also be a frequent presence at distribution – making sure everyone is signed on for (much needed) work hours.

We are entering our third season of monthly Special Products orders: Frances Tesser is helped in this now year-round activity by Elise Faber, Matt Feifarak & Susan Harriot. Elise Faber has left her role as financial maven in the capable hands of Philip Botwinick. Rosa Maria de la Torre will help Hudson Guild staff with follow-up on food stamp processing & other matters.

Susannah Pasquantonio now makes her home, and picks up her veggies, in Queens. Christina Schiavoni continues solo framing Chelsea CSA’s community outreach strategies – which this year includes transitioning many responsibilities to a dedicated volunteer in the important role of "bringing everyone to the table."

Cathy Ponte has succeeded Andrea Beeman & Ken Montgomery on newsletter development, editing and production. Jim Stein will be our general factotum, taking on whatever comes up..... I continue to pinch hit on email-communication & website updates, though I’d greatly appreciate relief at this point.

As I noted this time last year: We used to post specific functions, but the reality is that "active" volunteers turn their hands to whatever needs to be done & we eventually find the best match between our needs/their strengths. We're looking for additional folks to lend a hand (a zucchini bread, an article) - help us not only carry on but continue to grow...

Best regards ~dore
(for the evolving CSA Core Group, whose long term Core Members are Frances & Christina - medium term Linda & Jim - new this year Rosa Maria & Cathy)

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Upcoming Events

PS 11’s FARM MARKET

Vegetable of the Month (VOM) Cooking Workshops

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Chelsea CSA Seasons in the News (Past & Present, Here & Abroad)

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Get Involved!

We encourage current and prospective members to visit this site and learn more about the Chelsea CSA, a celebration of farming, food, and community! We are always looking for people to coordinate special events and/or otherwise become active volunteers over and above the required minimum hours (six for a veggie share; two for a fruit share).

Visit this site regularly to see new announcements, articles, and recipes, as well as obtain information archived from past newsletters. If you would like to contribute your ideas for the website, please submit via chelseacsa@yahoo.com.

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