(WEST WINDSOR) – New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher today announced National CSA Day in the Garden State with a visit to Appelget Farm. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture and allows for customers to pay for a season’s worth of produce, meat, eggs or other specialty products in advance.

That provides farmers with working capital so they can prepare for the growing season and the CSA member receives locally produced goods throughout the harvest season.

“Becoming part of a CSA is a great way for consumers to be supplied with Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the season,” Secretary Fisher said. “It also gives farmers with CSAs assurances they need to make plans at the beginning of the growing season.”

According to Small Farm Central’s CSA Farming Annual Report, the most popular time to join a CSA each year is at the end of February. To promote this important time for farmers, CSA Sign Up Day falls on the last Friday in February.

Appelget Farm is owned and operated by Kevin and Lori Appelget on 10 acres in West Windsor, Mercer County. Appelget Farm is beginning its eighth season with a CSA program and is a member of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey.  Kevin Appelget is the fourth generation of his family to farm the fields on Conover Road continuing the family tradition.

“We are excited for this year and are planning a few new things for this farm season,” Lori Appelget said. “We have wonderful customers, many who return each year because they know they are getting produce at the peak of freshness and quality. We love the relationships we have developed with our CSA members and other members of our community who visit our farm stand throughout the season.”

Among the products sold at Appelget Farm are beets, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupe, cauliflower, collard greens, cucumbers, eggplant, fennel, green beans, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, okra, onions, peas, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, shallots, spinach, squash, swiss chard, tomatoes and watermelon.

Appelget Farm's Market CSA program is open to a limited number of new members. The farmstand will be open to the public starting in early June.  For those who enjoy picking their own, there are often opportunities to go out into the field. The pick your own flower garden has become a popular summer activity for visitors of all ages.

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