North Star Orchard • CSA FAQs

CSA FAQ's

On this page, you will find basic information about how our CSA options work. Please take a few minutes to read and understand the following before sending in your membership application.

"Your family really took a great deal of care to make certain this was a good experience." -2004 Fruit Explorer

If you have questions that are not answered here, email us or, if you would like to apply for membership please click here for an application.

1. Why should I become a member?

When you become a CSA member, you know exactly where your food is coming from. Our small family farm consists of three Chester County locations in Newlin Township, Avondale, and Cochranville. Because we are local, your food will be as fresh and ripe as it can be - no more guesswork! You will be supporting small-scale local farming, and helping to maintain some of the few remaining acres of farmland in this area.

Other benefits to membership:

Identification and description of the items that are in your weekly share, via email.
A weekly email newsletter containing recipes and news of special interest.
'Stock up' opportunities for tomatoes or 'Gold Rush' apples, for example.

2. Where and when will I pick up my share?

We have tried to accommodate your busy schedule by arranging different pick-up times and locations. You have to decide which of the pickup locations is most convenient for you, and indicate your preference on the membership application.

Each pickup location requires a minimum number of members. We do not anticipate the need to cancel any pickup location due to lack of membership. However, in the unlikely event that we need to drop a pickup location due to lack of membership, those who did sign up for it will have the option to either choose a different location or receive their money back.

Please consider carefully when making your choice. Due to the nature of the CSA (freshness of the food, pickup location commitments, etc.) we cannot hold your share for you for pickup on another day or at another location. Before choosing your pickup location, make sure that you can get to the location you choose weekly during the day and times specified only.

For detailed information regarding pickup locations,
days, and times, please visit:

Fruit Explorers Info or Veggie Share Info

3. What happens if I can't pick up my share on a particular week?

We suggest you have a friend, relative, or neighbor pick up your share. We are committing ourselves to supplying you with wonderful food - we expect you to be committed to having it picked up on the day you select.

WARNING: If you have others pick your share up for you be prepared to share some with them!!

If, for some reason, you (or a friend/relative) cannot pick up your share on a given day, the share will be donated to a local food cupboard or to farm interns, depending on the pickup location. You can feel good knowing that the share you missed will be going to people who otherwise would not necessarily get delicious, farm-fresh food.

4. Can I choose which items I get in my share?

No, we will choose the selections for you. Your selections each week will consist of a balanced mix of what our farm has ripe and ready. We will select varieties for you that we think you will find the most enjoyable and interesting.

Examples of what you can expect to receive
in a weekly share can be found at:

Fruit Explorers Info or Veggie Share Info

5. What is my commitment? Am I expected to participate on the farm in any way?

Some CSAs arrange for members to help on the farm, contributing labor for weeding, harvesting, etc. The circumstances at our farm are different, however. As we are currently leasing two properties while developing the third, which we own, farmwork happens 'here, there, and everywhere' on any given day. Thus it is hard for us to have a consistent schedule. We look forward to having member participation at our farm location in Cochranville after a few years...and will keep you posted about that!

All we ask of you is to make the financial commitment and pay in advance for your membership. This eases the early-season financial burden for us tremendously.

Additionally, you might put more time and energy into the project and plan ahead with another member to share in pickup duties. This may help save a bit in fossil fuel useage. Or perhaps you can make arrangements to split your weekly share with another person, if a full share seems to be too great a commitment.

We also will be asking you for feedback from time to time. Many of the varieties we grow are either new or heritage varieties. Your comments and preferences will influence the future of what we grow on the farm.

You can also help us by telling others about North Star Orchard. Encourage your friends and neighbors to buy local. There are many farmers' markets in the area to visit, even if they are not members of the CSA this year.

6. What happens in the case of a crop failure?

Because we are a diversified farm with a very experienced farmer at the helm, it is highly unlikely that a total crop failure would occur. Occasionally, certain particular crops may not do well due to weather conditions, but where they may fail, others may thrive.

The long and short of it is that as a member of a CSA, you are (as is the farmer!) assuming some amount of risk. The threat of total crop failure due to disasterous weather conditions or major pest invasion is there, but unlikely. After growing crops for 16 years without any major failures, we feel confident that the supply of produce you receive will be what you'd expect.

The 'good years', of which there have been many, more than make up for the occasional 'bad year'. As a member, you join us in sharing that risk.

To get a membership application, please click here

If you have additional questions about the CSA, please email us