Home > Green > CSA

Sign Up Here


Committed to initiatives that are proven to have a positive impact on the environment, the Crystal City Business Improvement District is proud to offer the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) through a partnership with Great Country Farms to employees and residents of Crystal City for the third year.

What is a CSA?

"CSA" is an acronym for community-supported agriculture. Members buy "shares" of the harvest, and receive a weekly box of fruits and vegetables. The fruits and vegetables will vary week-to-week depending on the harvest. Please note that the amount of food you receive will depend on the strength of the harvest. If there is a drought, for example, you may receive less food than comparable years. Conversely, if the harvest is plentiful, you will share in the bounty.

What is the Crystal City BID-CSA?

The Crystal City BID has reserved "half-shares" from Great Country Farms in Bluemont, VA. A half-share comes in a 10” x 12” x 14” box and is designed to be enough for a typical 2-person family. A full share is two of these boxes. You can find a sample produce list of the expected fruits and vegetables included here. In addition to the box of produce, as part of your share you will be allowed to pick-your-own each weekend if you visit the farm as well as receive free admission for your family to a number of events and activities throughout the year. For a calendar of Great Country Farms events check out their calendar of events. The estimated "pick-your-own" allowances are also listed in the produce list. Note that "Full U-Pick" quantities refers to the amount that you can take home with you if you visit the farm for Full Share CSA members. If you have a half-share membership your allowance will be half.

How Much does the Crystal City BID-CSA Cost?

The base cost of the 2010 CSA is $474.50 plus a $15 box fee per half share (excluding tax). You can save 5% if you pay up front in full via check. 

  Weekly Cost Discounted Weekly Price*
Half Share $25.70 $24.41
Full Share $51.40 $48.83

* 5% discount is offered to members that pay the total cost of the program upfront via check. Total cost with discount and tax for a half share is $488.28 and $513.98 without the discount

What is the Environmental Strategy at the Farm (Organic?)?

Great Country Farms uses both Sustainable growing practices and organic methods. Sustainable practices are more encompassing than organic and address the total impact of farming on the land rather than just whether synthetic herbicides, pesticides and fungicides are used in the growing process. Sustainable practices used at GCF include "no till" planting which uses natural grass as mulch to suppress weeds and does not disturb the soil as much helping with run off and soil development. Compost is used to enrich our soils and leaves and grass clippings are collected from local landscapers which helps keep those renewable resources out of landfills. Drip irrigation rather than overhead irrigation is used and saves water by applying the water to the roots of the plant rather than a large spray broadcast. GCF is not officially certified organic but all berries are grown using organic methods and the rest of the CSA farm is treated only when in danger of loosing a crop. Orchard fruits are sprayed using a less intensive treatment program as needed and only after organic methods have been attempted.

How do I sign up?

***Availability is Limited! Available while supplies last!***

1. Go to the Great Country Farms’ website by clicking here.

2. If the website indicates that the program is full, please feel free to continue to fill it out. The CCBID has reserved a specific number of half-shares exclusively for area employees and residents. If those shares have already been reserved, you will receive an email instructing you that your application has not been accepted.

3. Enter your name, email, and mailing address in the first section

4. Skip the second section about partner information

5. Chose one of the delivery addresses below that is most convenient for you. Concord Apartments Park 1 Office Building 2600 Crystal Drive 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 101B Arlington, VA 22202 Arlington, VA 22202

6. Select “Delivered Half-Share” or “Delivered Full-Share” depending on the amount you wish to purchase (a full share is two boxes)

7. An email will be sent to you confirming your acceptance into the program

Where do I pick up my Box?

As noted above, there are two delivery locations available – for Crystal City residents and employees that live or work on the northern end, Vornado / Charles E. Smith has donated a space on the first floor of the office building at 2011 Crystal Drive (behind Noodles & Company). The delivery address for this location is:

Park 1 Office Building 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 101B Arlington, VA 22202

Residents and employees on the southern end of Crystal City can pick up their boxes in the retail space at the corner of Crystal Drive and 26th Street, just north of the entrance to the Concord Luxury Residences at 2600 Crystal Drive. This space is being provided courtesy of the Concord Luxury Residences and Gould Property Company. See area map for the specific location. The delivery address for this location is:

Concord Apartments 2600 Crystal Drive Arlington, VA 22202

When Can I Pick-Up My Box?

CSA deliveries will occur every Thursday morning. For the first few weeks, the Crystal City BID will email CSA members upon delivery. Once the delivery team has the route down, they will consistently be delivering at a regularly scheduled time. At this point, the Crystal City BID will only email if there are any anticipated delays or problems with an expected delivery. CSA members MUST pick-up their boxes before the specified times for the drop off locations (7 PM for the northern location and noon for the southern location). Any box that has not been picked up after these designated times will be found a new home. If you have an emergency and need to make last minute arrangements to pick-up your box, email rmandle@crystalcity.org and we will attempt to accommodate.

What if I am on vacation one week or cannot pick-up?

If you know you will be away, you can report this absence to Great Country Farms via their website and they will make sure not to send a box for you in that particular week. You can also arrange with a co-worker, friend, or family member to pick up your box for you! It is always best, however, to let Great Country Farms know if you plan to not be the person picking up your box.