From Farm to Fork
- Jennifer Seeley, MS, CNS, LDN, CSMC
- Jul 13
- 7 min read
Let's Discuss why CSAs and Farmers' Markets Are the
Smarter Choice in State College, PA (and your local area).
What Is a CSA, and Why Should You Care?
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is one of the most direct relationships you can have with your food. Instead of relying on a distant supply chain, you prepay a local farmer at the start of the growing season in exchange for a weekly or biweekly share of fresh produce throughout summer and fall. The arrangement benefits both sides: the farmer receives upfront capital to cover seeds, equipment, and labor before a single crop is harvested, and you receive some of the freshest, most nutritious produce available.
Local Produce Is Genuinely Healthier
This isn't marketing language; there is real research behind the nutritional advantage of locally grown fruits and vegetables.
The fundamental issue is time. Nutritional quality in fruits and vegetables is highest right after harvest and then starts to decline. The typical supermarket tomato is picked green, shipped 1,500 miles or more, and artificially ripened with ethylene gas a journey that can take 7 to 14 days. By the time it reaches your kitchen, it may have lost 30% to 50% of its initial nutrient density.
CSA and farmers market produce is typically harvested within 24 to 48 hours of delivery or pickup. It reaches you at or near peak ripeness, when the plant has fully developed its vitamins, minerals, and complex phytonutrients.
Key research findings include:
A 2015 study in the Journal of Food Distribution Research (Curtis, Ward & Allen, Utah State University) found that CSA participants significantly increased fruit and vegetable consumption and reduced purchases of packaged meals.
A feasibility study published in Preventing Chronic Disease (Freedman et al., 2013, NIH/PubMed) found CSA participants showed a statistically significant increase in fruit and vegetable consumption of 2.2 servings per week compared to non-participants.
University of Wisconsin's Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems found that commercial produce is "bred, grown, harvested, and packaged for long distance shipment and shelf life, not taste and nutritional value", a reality with measurable nutritional consequences.
The Money: CSAs and Farmers Markets vs. the Supermarket
CSA Shares: The Math
A typical full CSA share in Central Pennsylvania runs roughly $25–40 per week for a season of 20–24 weeks, providing 8 to 14 pounds of freshly harvested, often organically grown vegetables. Compare that to a trip down the organic aisle at a supermarket:
Organic salad greens: $5–6
Cherry tomatoes: $4–5
Bell pepper: $2–3
Bunch of carrots: $2–3
That's already $13–17 for a fraction of the volume, variety, and freshness you'd receive in a CSA box.
University of Wisconsin CIAS research found that when basket comparisons were made, matching CSA items against equivalent produce at retail outlets, CSA members consistently received better value, particularly when organic equivalents were compared. A 2026 economic analysis estimated the average household can save 15–25% on organic produce by switching to a CSA share.
There's also a freshness advantage on waste: farm fresh produce harvested at peak ripeness tends to last longer at home. A CSA tomato at $3.00/lb that gets entirely eaten beats a $2.00/lb supermarket tomato with a 40% household waste rate, which effectively costs $3.33 per usable pound.
Farmers' Markets: Flexible and Often Comparable
Farmers' market prices vary. For conventional items, prices may run 10–40% higher than supermarket equivalents, but the comparison usually isn't apples to apples. When compared against organic grocery store prices, farmers' market pricing is often comparable or better, with the added benefits of peak freshness, greater variety, and a direct relationship with the person who grew your food. For bulk seasonal purchases, a flat of heirloom tomatoes in August or a bushel of peaches at peak farmers' markets frequently beat grocery store pricing outright.
The Critical Timing: Sign Up in Winter for Summer Shares
This is the most important practical note for anyone interested in a CSA: you need to sign up in winter for summer shares.
Most local farms open CSA enrollment between December and March. Shares sell out often quickly because farms plan their entire crop based on the number of members who commit. If you wait until May or June, you will likely find the share list full.
The standard advice: research your options in the fall, make your decision by January or February, and sign up as soon as enrollment opens. Many farms offer payment plans to spread out the upfront cost, and some have waitlists, so getting on one early is worth doing even if a farm is already full.
CSAs Serving the State College Area
Tait Farm Foods / Community Harvest
Located at 179 Tait Road in Centre Hall, approximately 7 miles east of State College along US Route 322. Community Harvest offers full-season and seasonal CSA memberships with pickup options at the farm and select community locations, including the North Atherton Farmers Market.
Members pick up weekly at the farm or at the North Atherton Farmers Market on Saturdays. Share options include produce, dairy, eggs, bread, herb, and homemade meal shares.
GroundWork Farms
A multi-farm CSA cooperative sourced from farmers in Penns and Brush Valleys, Centre County. Founded in 2005, GroundWork offers produce, dairy, egg, bread, herb, and winter soup shares - with home and workplace delivery available.
Plowshare Produce
A certified organic CSA in McAlevy's Fort (Stone Valley), run by Micah and Bethany Spicher Schonberg. Pickup at University Mennonite Church in State College on Tuesdays 4:30–6:30 PM.
Healthy Harvest Farm
Healthy Harvest Farm, owned by Dave Sandy and Sara Eckert, has been serving Centre County for over 20 years with naturally grown vegetables, herbs, berries, and melons. CSA pickups are available in both Bellefonte and State College.
Penn State Student Farm CSA (Campus Supported Agriculture)
Open to Penn State students, faculty, and staff (PSU email required). Produce is grown on the Ross Student Farm and campus greenhouses. Shares follow the academic calendar with Maymester, Summer, and Fall subscription options.
Strong Roots Organic Farm
Located in Woodward, PA, Strong Roots Organic Farm offers certified organic vegetables, herbs, and fruit with both on-farm and State College pickup options. Members choose their own produce each week from a wide selection of seasonal crops.
To find additional options, visit localharvest.org and search by zip code. The site lists farms with verified CSA availability, share prices, and pickup locations.
Farmers Markets In and Around State College
Downtown State College Farmers Market
When: Fridays, May through October/November | Where: Locust Lane, Downtown State College
The oldest farmers market in the area, founded in 1976. Every vendor must be a local producer that's been the rule since day one. Open for seven months of the year, the market has built a decades-long community culture around direct vendor shopper relationships. Patchwork Farm and Greenhouse is among the standout vendors, offering organic vegetables and cut flowers.
North Atherton Farmers Market (NAFM)
When: Saturdays, 10 AM – 2 PM, May through November | Where: Home Depot Parking Lot, 2615 Greentech Drive, State College
A producer-only market established in 2010 with support from Patton Township and Home Depot. Only vendors who personally grew, raised, or crafted their products may participate. Expect fresh produce, meats, dairy, baked goods, specialty foods, and handmade items.
Boalsburg Farmers Market
When: Tuesdays, 2–6 PM, May through early November | Where: Pennsylvania Military Museum Parking Lot, 51 Boal Avenue, Boalsburg
A beloved weekly fixture along Routes 322/45, conveniently accessible from State College. (Moves to Boalsburg Fire Company Hall, November through April.)
Bellefonte Farmers Market
When: Saturdays, 9 AM – 1 PM, through October | Where: Held Saturday mornings in Bellefonte. Check the market's website or social media for the current seasonal location before visiting.
A producer-only market in the historic county seat, just a short drive north of State College.
Pine Grove Mills Farmers Market
When: Thursdays, 3–7 PM, June through September | Where: St. Paul Lutheran Church parking lot, 277 W. Pine Grove Rd., Pine Grove Mills
A smaller, community-oriented market convenient for those on the south side of the State College area.
Note: You don't have to buy everything organic to eat healthier. If you're shopping on a budget, prioritize purchasing organic versions of the Environmental Working Group's "Dirty Dozen" fruits and vegetables, while conventional versions of the "Clean Fifteen" tend to have lower pesticide residues.
Shopping at local farmers' markets also allows you to talk directly with growers about how your food was raised - even if they aren't certified organic, many use sustainable practices and are happy to share them.
The Bigger Picture: Supporting Local Agriculture
When you buy a CSA share or shop at a farmers' market, you're doing more than purchasing vegetables. Research published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems (2020) found that local food system participants consistently reported superior freshness and flavor compared to conventionally sourced produce and were motivated by knowing where their food comes from and how it is grown.
Economically, direct-to-consumer sales support small family farms that would otherwise struggle to compete with industrial agriculture. Your food dollars stay in Centre County, circulate through the local economy, and help preserve farmland that defines this region.
And practically, for families trying to eat better, the research is clear: CSA membership leads to measurably higher fruit and vegetable consumption. When a box of beautiful, in-season produce arrives every week, you eat more of it.
Quick-Start Guide: What to Do Right Now
This fall/winter: Research CSAs using localharvest.org or the farms listed above. Contact farms and ask when enrollment opens.
January–March: Sign up for your CSA share before they sell out. Ask about payment plans if the upfront cost is a barrier.
May–November: Visit one of the farmers' markets listed above, no commitment, no signup required.
Seniors in Centre County: The Centre County Farmers Market Voucher Program provides residents aged 60 or older with $25 in vouchers for approved local markets. Visit centrecountypa.gov for details.
References
1. Curtis, K., Ward, R., & Allen, K. (2015). Attitude and behavioral changes among CSA participants. Journal of Food Distribution Research (Best Paper Award). Utah State University.
2. Favell, D.J. (1998). A comparison of the vitamin C content of fresh and frozen vegetables. Food Chemistry, 62(1), 59–64.
3. Freedman, D.A., et al. (2013). Feasibility of using a CSA program to improve fruit and vegetable inventories and consumption. Preventing Chronic Disease, 10. NIH. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3748277/
4. Hendrickson, J. (2001). CSA: More for your money than fresh vegetables. Research Brief #52. Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, University of Wisconsin-Madison. https://www.cias.wisc.edu/csa-more-for-your-money-than-fresh-vegetables/
5. Lee, S.K., & Kader, A.A. (2000). Preharvest and postharvest factors influencing vitamin C content. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 20(3), 207–220.
6. Morales, K.H., et al. (2020). More than food: The social benefits of localized urban food systems. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 4, 534219.
7. NC State Extension (2022). Local food systems: Clarifying current research. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/local-food-systems-clarifying-current-research
8. Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, PA Women's Agricultural Network. Community supported agriculture. https://agsci.psu.edu/wagn/topics/virtual-field-days/community-supported-agriculture
9. Penn State Student Farm. CSA Program. https://www.studentfarm.psu.edu/csa/
10. StateCollege.com. Farmers Markets in the Centre Region. https://www.statecollege.com/farmers-markets/
11. North Atherton Farmers Market. About NAFM. https://www.northathertonfarmersmarket.com/about
12. GroundWork Farms. Community Supported Agriculture. https://www.groundworkfarms.com/
13. Centre County Government. Farmers Market Voucher Program. https://centrecountypa.gov/2181/Farmers-Market-Voucher-Program
14. CollectiveCrop (2026). Is local food cheaper than grocery stores? An honest comparison. https://collectivecrop.com/guides/is-local-food-actually-cheaper-than-grocery-stores
This document is intended for community education. All CSA pricing and market schedules should be confirmed directly with farms and market organizers, as details change seasonally.