Fruit Shares

2023 Fruit Share Program

Signup is now closed for the 2023 Fruit CSA program. The following is for information purposes only.

Program:  Newton Community Farm is pleased to offer a weekly fruit share in conjunction with Autumn Hills Orchard in Groton, MA. Each weekly share consists of a 4–5 pound (approximate) bag of apples and occasionally may include grapes or pears. As with all things agricultural, what is available is highly dependent on the particular growing conditions. (Please note that due to winter/spring weather conditions, there will not be any peaches, nectarines, or plums in the the shares this year.)

Registration Deadline: August 22, 2023 at noon

Cost:  $108 per share (one bag each week for eight weeks)

Duration:  Eight pickups starting Wednesday, August 30 through Thursday, October 19, 2023

Pickups:  Share distributions should be picked up at Newton Community Farm at the white tent near the barn each week during the program on Wednesdays or Thursdays between 2 and 7 pm. Fruit will be held until 7 pm Thursday, after which time unclaimed shares will be donated.

Growing Methods: Autumn Hills Orchard uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to control insects and diseases. It is not organic. IPM seeks to reduce the frequency and amount of spraying by vigilant scouting so that pests can be sprayed at the moment in their life cycle when they are most vulnerable. IPM also seeks to control damage rather than eradicate pests, allowing growers to spray less. IPM can dramatically reduce the amount of spraying required to grow high quality fruit in a climate like New England. This method reduces the harm caused by many sprays to the environment, orchard workers, beneficial insects, and the end consumer. It should not, however, be confused with organic.

About Autumn Hills Orchard: Autumn Hills Orchard is a working farm in historic Groton, Massachusetts about 45 miles northwest of Newton. The farm produces more than 25 varieties of apples, peaches, pears, plums, grapes, and raspberries. For more than ten years, Autumn Hills has partnered with local CSA programs to provide weekly shares in the late summer through the fall. Share contents vary by week over the season but are primarily apples with other fruit varieties based on availability. The fruit varieties may include Concord grapes, peaches, nectarines, Italian plums, Bartlett pears, and Bosc pears. Apple varieties may include: Ginger Gold, Paula Red, Gala, Gravenstein, Honeycrisp, Macintosh, Cortland, Empire, Cox Orange Pippin, Spencer, Mutsu, Golden Delicious, Macoun, Newtown Pippin, Rhode Island Greening, Golden Russet, SpiGold, Suncrisp, Pink Lady, Ida Red, and Northern Spy.