GardenShare is offering a program again this year that helps make community supported agriculture (CSA) affordable for more people in St. Lawrence County.

For eligible households, GardenShare’s “CSA Bonus Bucks” program provides a $150 discount off the cost of a membership at a participating CSA farm.

CSA is way to buy local seasonal food directly from a farmer. At the beginning of the season, a consumer purchases a “share” of whatever the farm produces, and each week participants receive some of that week’s harvest. Typically it is vegetables, but it can also be fruit, meat, maple syrup, eggs, herbs, or anything grown on the farm.

To be eligible for the CSA Bonus Bucks discount, the combined yearly pre-tax income of all household members must be at or below $30,000 for one person; $37,000 for two people; $44,000 for three people; $51,000 for four people; $58,000 for five or more people.

“Even families with moderate incomes are having trouble making healthy food choices,” says GardenShare executive director Aviva Gold. “We hope to encourage more families to try Community Supported Agriculture.”

CSA Bonus Bucks will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis only as long as funds last,.

For an application form, a list of participating CSA farms, and more details about the program, visit GardenShare’s website at GardenShare.org, or call 261-8054

In 2011 CSA Bonus Bucks helped match 40 families with 12 CSA farms in St. Lawrence County. Most survey respondents reported that having CSA increased the amount of healthy food their families ate during the year, and all respondents reported being interested in joining CSA again.

“CSA can be kind of addictive,” says Gold. “It’s great to have that box of food to help with meal planning decisions.”

GardenShare welcomes donations to help spread the benefits of CSA to families that would not otherwise be able to afford a CSA membership.

Contributions are tax-deductible and may be made online GardenShare.org, or mailed to GardenShare, PO Box 516, Canton, NY 13617.