Question 1

Is a CSA worth it?

Accepted Answer

It depends on whether you'll actually cook through the box. A CSA pencils out when its weekly cost (share price ÷ season weeks) is at or below what you'd spend on comparable local produce anyway — but roughly 24% of CSA members report feeling oversupplied, and skipped pickups or wasted produce erase the savings quickly. Households that cook most nights usually come out ahead; occasional cooks usually do better paying as they go at the farmers market.

Question 2

How much does a CSA cost?

Accepted Answer

Published farm-share pricing in 2026 typically runs about $15–$35 a week, or roughly $400–$1,100 for a full season, depending on region, season length, and share size. A common full-season full share lands around $400–$700. Half shares usually cost a bit more than half the full-share price, since the farm's labor doesn't halve.

Question 3

Is a CSA cheaper than the grocery store?

Accepted Answer

Against comparable local or organic produce, a CSA is often at or below retail per week — but against the cheapest conventional supermarket produce it may not be. The honest comparison is weekly CSA cost versus what you actually spend on produce you'd realistically replace with the box. This calculator does exactly that math.

Question 4

What happens if I miss a pickup or can't use everything?

Accepted Answer

Most CSAs don't refund missed pickups, and unused produce is the single biggest way a share stops being worth it. If your schedule is unpredictable or your household is small, a half share — or pay-as-you-go shopping at a farmers market or farm stand (often cheaper per pound than markets) — usually fits better.

CSA Cost Calculator: Does a Farm Share Pencil Out for You?

A worked example

What CSAs typically cost (for context)

How this calculator works (and what it won't claim)

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