HOW WE WORK

WHAT IS A CSA?

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) connects local farms with the community through a direct, seasonal partnership. Members purchase a share at the start of the season, which helps farmers plan their harvest and reduces food waste. In return, members receive just-harvested produce—often picked the day before.

Sunnyside CSA offers two share seasons: Summer (June through October) and Winter (December through April). Details about what's included each season can be found on the OUR SHARES page.

CSA members share in both the rewards and risks of the growing season. While harvests may vary due to weather and other factors, the produce is consistently high quality and more affordable than at a farmers market.

Sunnyside CSA is a not-for-profit, fully volunteer-run organization. Volunteers coordinate with farms, manage logistics, run the pickup site, and handle communications and finances. All members contribute by signing up for two volunteer shifts or serving on the core team.

Weekly Pickups

All pickups take place on Thursdays from 5:00–8:00pm at Sunnyside Community Services, 43-31 39th Street (between 43rd Ave and Queens Blvd), Sunnyside, NY.

Exact pickup dates are determined by season — see our Calendar page for the full schedule.

Any unclaimed produce at the end of the pickup night is donated to the Senior Program at Sunnyside Community Services (SCS).

Volunteering

This entire process is volunteer run! In order to stay up and operational, we need every member to help out during distribution each season.

Summer Share members must complete a minimum of 2 volunteer shifts
Winter Share members must complete a minimum of 1 volunteer shift

Visit our Volunteering page for shift details and to sign up. You can also fulfill your requirement by contributing in other ways — grant writing, offering items for fundraisers, or joining the core group. If you have skills to share, reach out. We're open to all suggestions!

Payment

Share payments go directly to our farm partners and local vendors. Admin fees support our organizational costs — primarily our space at SCS, the website, and the Subsidized Share program.

There are no refunds. Members must find someone to take over their share and notify the core group at sunnysidecsa@gmail.com.

Subsidy

Subsidized shares can be paid in monthly installments or as a lump sum. A limited number of reduced-cost shares are available each season for households experiencing financial hardship. Visit our Subsidy Program page to learn more and apply.

Operating Budget

The main fees for your shares go to the respective farms and businesses. Admin fees support our local organizational costs — basically rent from SCS, the website, and supporting the subsidy program. We keep costs as low as possible because we're 100% volunteer run.

Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL

When and where can I pick up my share? Thursdays between 5:00pm and 8:00pm at Sunnyside Community Services, 43-31 39th Street between 43rd Ave and Queens Blvd.
What happens if I don't pick up my share? You may have someone else pick it up for you — just be sure to let them know about pickup procedures. If your box isn't picked up during the distribution window, it is donated to Sunnyside Community Services.
Is the produce organic? Yes! Our current farm partner, Choy Commons, is a cooperative of small farms that go beyond USDA Organic standards — all farms are completely pesticide-free, no-spray, and use no synthetic fertilizers or herbicides. Two of the three farms are no-till. While not all farms are formally certified (certification costs are prohibitive at small scale), their practices meet or exceed organic standards. Visit the Food We Offer page to read more about each farm.
How much produce will I get each week? There are between 6 and 9 items in the box each week. The share is good for a family who cooks a lot — if you don't, you might want to split a share or get a bi-weekly share!
What types of vegetables can I expect? It depends on the season. Check out previous years' harvests in the Food We Offer section.
What if I don't like some of the vegetables? There is a "Swap Box" on site where you can deposit unwanted veggies and swap for something else you prefer.
What if a full share is too much for me? Split with a friend (or two!). You can divide each week's share with a partner, or sign up for your own bi-weekly share. Just remember, you still need to volunteer!
Can I transfer my share to someone else? If for any reason you no longer want your share, feel free to find someone to take ownership. Try our Facebook page to see if someone is looking! Email us at veggies@sunnysidecsa.com with the new owner's name, phone number, and email. The new owner is responsible for any remaining volunteer shifts. There are no refunds.
What's your operating budget? The main fees go to our farm and vendor partners. Admin fees cover SCS rent, the website, and the subsidy fund.

LEARN ABOUT OUR SUBSIDY PROGRAM

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