Get The Family Involved In a Community Garden or CSA Program

New Jersey is known as the Garden State thanks to our bountiful agriculture. While some grow fruits, vegetables and herbs in their own backyards, others like to get out and connect with neighbors through community gardens and CSAs (community-supported agriculture). Both can be great ways to find your green thumb while meeting new people, making friends and making NJ more sustainable. Here’s what you need to know to join in the fun:

COMMUNITY GARDENS

You may have seen them in your town or neighborhood—community gardens are pieces of land cultivated by a group or by individuals, collectively. They can be found in urban, suburban or rural areas and may grow flowers, vegetables or anything the group chooses. These spots differ from public parks because area residents are the ones to design, build and maintain the garden.

Community gardens can fight food insecurity, improve community health and nutrition through both food and physical activity, help the environment since food is grown and eaten locally, and increase social bonds in the area. You can join an existing community garden (though waitlists can be long) or start one with others who are interested by using flyers or social media.

Here are just a few examples of community gardens and how you can participate:

Duke Farms Community Garden
Hillsborough
This community garden opened in 2011 and has since expanded to 460 plots. Gardeners here practice organic, sustainable methods such as no-till gardening and the use of natural mulches for water conservation. All levels of gardeners are welcome to join. Each plot is individually maintained by renters who must live or work in Somerset County and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The community donates pounds of produce to local food banks. Though they are sold out for this year, there are still plenty of ways for families to explore nature and get involved.

The Theodore Largman Community Garden
Morristown
The Morris Township Community Garden at ValleVue Preserve is a 3-acre organic garden that gives individuals the opportunity to grow quality produce for their families while helping the environment. They also have a “Giving Garden” that produces food for local food banks and kitchens. Each plot is privately maintained by individual renters who live in Morris Twp. Plots are rented on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sunset View Farm
Andover
This community garden was founded by the Grinthal family in 2004 and is known as a “slice of heaven to escape to.” They grow a variety of crops, have a vibrant community garden, host sharecroppers and raise animals, too. You can rent a 30-by-15 garden plot that’s tilled and ready to plant. Meet fellow gardeners, get some fresh air and have fun with themes such as Zinnia Madness, pickle making and “The Big Dig” (Dahlias), plus Pasta on the Porch to show off your tomato sauce at the end of the season.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

CSAs are a way food producers can connect directly with consumers by allowing them to subscribe to the farm’s harvest. Visit localharvest.org for a complete list of CSAs.

Here are a few to try:

Fairgrown Farm
At this farm in Pennington, the season runs from May to November. Customers stop by weekly to pick up their crop share, which might include cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and more. Joining their CSA offers perks like pick-your-own so kids can develop a connection to where their food comes from and explore a diverse, healthy diet.

Westfield Area CSA
Farmer John Krueger and his crew at Circle Brook Farm in Andover grow fresh, organic produce and deliver it for $25-$40 a week, depending on the size of the share you purchase. Locations include Westfield, Scotch Plains, Mountainside, Springfield, Cranford, Plainfield and Rahway.

Chickadee Creek Farm
This woman-owned market-style CSA in Pennington allows customers to begin a debit account and then pick up produce using their account credit. They also offer a trial membership for brand new members and work-share positions where you can work for your food!

Ort Farms
You can choose 18 or 23 weeks and have your share pre-boxed or hand selected. There are multiple pickup day options or if you live within 8 miles of Ort Farms in Long Valley they will deliver. Their CSA Kids Club features activities like pick-your-own sessions and farm tours for members’ kids.

—Ronnie Koenig is a lifestyle writer who lives in Princeton with her husband and two kids.

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