Join the Vegetable Program at Hilltop Hanover Farm

Fresh Produce is Coming!

By Tom McLoughlin

We have survived some cold wintry days, weathered a few nasty snow storms, and are now embracing spring. With the arrival of spring, we begin thinking of the outdoors and planning our own vegetable gardens. If you don’t have time or room for a garden, Hilltop Hanover Farm may be the answer.

Hilltop Hanover Farm – at 1271 Hanover Street in Yorktown Heights – will be growing an array of organically grown vegetables that will appeal to anyone tired of those supermarket variety that we have accepted over the winter. The list of freshly picked local produce extends to radishes, beets, spinach, zucchini, squash, potatoes, onions, and peppers. Also, the HHF farmers provide less traditional vegetables, such as Bok Choy, purple top turnips, scallions, kale, broccoli rabe, and arugula. All of these organically-grown vegetables are available at Hilltop Hanover Farm.

Hilltop Hanover Farm sponsors the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), a subscription-style farming partnership. Members sign up early in the season for weekly CSA shares. In return for this commitment ($700), CSA members receive the freshest produce possible. Members come to the Farm for 20 consecutive weeks on either Tuesday or Thursday afternoon from 2:00 to 7:00 PM and select the pre-arranged amounts - from each vegetable bin. The organic crops are picked that morning and the HHF farm staff decides the allocation for each available crop. The weekly selections are then arranged “farm stand style” with signs designating the amount allowed per vegetable.

The amount of each crop varies each week as the farmers determine the yield of the ripe vegetables. For example, some weeks one may be able to select two pounds of tomatoes, one bok choy, and a pound of string beans. During other weeks the amount may decrease or increase depending upon that week’s production. The inherent risks of farming may impact crop yields. In all, there are 8 to 12 vegetables and herbs available for selection each week. CSA members usually leave with two bags of produce that will easily accommodate a family of four or more. The weekly season begins in June and ends in mid October (20 weeks).

The cost of a share is $700. Please act now, for last year’s CSA shares (130 in number) were sold out. To download the CSA application or to obtain additional information about credit card payment or payment plans, visit www.HilltopHanoverFarm.org. You may also call the HHF office at (914) 962-2368.