Fair Share
Fair Share Program
AdkAction’s Fair Share program sponsors low-income families to participate in season-long Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm share programs at no cost. Each CSA farm share provides a family with a box full of fresh, organic vegetables every week for 20 to 25 weeks. The CSA model helps small farmers through upfront investment ahead of the growing season and ensuring they have guaranteed support, regardless of drought or pests.
Our Fair Share program builds equity in access, so low-income community members can take advantage of the health, environmental, and social benefits of participating in a CSA.
2024 Fair Share
Entering its fourth year, AdkAction’s Fair Share program continues to make a significant impact in the North Country, connecting local farms with families in need. What began with just 21 families in 2021 has grown exponentially, and is on track to feed more than 165 families this year.
Through this program, we are able to support our farm partners at the start of their season and provide free, local food to low-income families across the region on a weekly basis from June – October. Our farm partners this year are Exeter Park Farm (West Winfield), Full and By Farm (Essex), Wild Work Farm (Keene Valley), Tangleroot Farm (Essex), Juniper Hill Farm (Wadhams), and North Point Community Farm (Plattsburgh).
In addition to our farm partnerships, we work closely with referral agencies, such as Essex County Health Department WIC offices and the Essex County Mental Health Association. These agencies play a crucial role in referring eligible families to our program, ensuring that those who need it most have access to nutritious food.
Thank you to our Farm Partners
Benefits of a CSA
- Guaranteed weekly box of produce
- Know where your food comes from and how it’s grown
- Support local farmers
- Better for the environment- organic farming, less gas for long-haul transportation
- Keep food dollars local
- Build community
Frequently Asked Questions
AdkAction’s Fair Share project is a season-long subscription to receive produce from a local farm. From roughly June-October, participants will receive a box each week that contains a mix of five to seven different vegetables. The box will change throughout the season, based on what is ready for harvesting.
The model is focused on supporting farmers throughout the region with the high costs of planting and buying into the risk of any crop loss that happens (for example, due to drought) that they typically incur at the start of the season. In exchange, members receive a generous weekly portion of all the food grown on the farm
No, as we continue to build and expand this new program, Fair Shares are free for qualifying participants! Those participating in the Fair Share program do have to commit to the full length of the program, and are required to fill out a few short surveys during that time. Although participation is free, farms still receive 100% of the share value, thanks to funding from AdkAction donors.
Participants who are interested in paying a partial amount towards their shares to help support the program will be given the option to do so only after being accepted to the program.
Some participating Fair Share farms offer delivery based on location. Please indicate on your enrollment form if you require delivery and we will try to accommodate your needs.
In late April or early May we will reach out to selected participants, who will need to confirm their participation at that time. Selection will be made based on the number of shares available, with preference given to early sign-ups. We also take into account if a Fair Share farm is located within a reasonable distance from a participant’s address.
Examples of what you get include: lettuce, beets, eggplant, onions, peas, spinach, kale, tomatoes, squash, carrots, and much more.
There will occasionally be vegetables that are often new to people, but participants will also receive recipes and suggestions throughout the season.
Sign Up
Fair Share CSA program enrollment will open again in early 2025. Please use the income eligibility form and sign up form below to verify that you are eligible for the program. Signing up does not guarantee you will be selected for the farm share, but early sign up does give you preference!
Is my household eligible?
You must be a permanent resident of Clinton, Franklin, or Essex county to participate, and meet the household income requirements outlined below.
AdkAction uses United Way’s ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) income thresholds as a guide for eligibility. ALICE households earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, but less than they need to afford a basic survival budget. You can use the Income Eligibility Calculator below to see if your household may qualify before beginning the application.
Eligibility Calculator
Fair Share Application will reopen in 2025
Contact [email protected] with questions about the application.
