Everything You Need to Know About FFG’s Community Supported Agriculture
CSA is a partnership between farmers and community members where you pay upfront for a seasonal share of fresh, locally-grown produce. You receive weekly or bi-weekly boxes of vegetables throughout the growing season while supporting local farmers with guaranteed income and stable markets.
You purchase a membership share at the beginning of the season, then receive regular deliveries of fresh, organic vegetables grown at our heritage Plantation Succour site. Your upfront payment provides farmers with stable income while you enjoy premium produce at 65-77% savings compared to grocery shopping.
Our CSA integrates heritage preservation at a 300+ year-old plantation site, Eco Shares community investment, hurricane resilience planning, and Caribbean cultural education. Plus, you save significantly compared to Sint Maarten’s high imported food costs.
All produce is grown at Plantation Succour, our 80,000m² heritage site in Sint Maarten. The terraced plots use historic slave walls as boundaries, combining sustainable agriculture with cultural preservation.
We offer four main packages:
Delivery flexibility: However, you have the option to order your package on a bi-weekly basis for all main CSA shares, reducing the total number of deliveries and overall cost while maintaining the same high-quality produce variety.
Significant savings! A family of 4 typically spends $180-220/month on vegetables. Our Family Share costs only $84/month ($693÷8.25 months), saving you $1,147-1,627 annually while getting fresher, organic produce.
We accept XCG (Caribbean Guilders) as preferred currency and USD at current exchange rates (XCG 1.80 = $1 USD). Euros are accepted at daily rate exchange. Payment can be done by bank transfer, PIN, cash and via PayPal.
Payment plans available with 50% deposit and 50% mid-season.
Yes, subject to availability. You can upgrade your package size mid-season, though downgrades may have limited availability due to farmer planning requirements.
Each box contains 4-10 varieties of seasonal vegetables depending on your package size, plus fresh herbs. During peak season (November-May), expect maximum variety. Extended season (June-August) focuses on storage crops and preserved items.
Peak season: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, okra, leafy greens, herbs, root vegetables (sweet potatoes, carrots), legumes (beans, peas), squash, cucumbers, and traditional Caribbean varieties. Extended season: Storage vegetables, hardy greens, preserved items, greenhouse production, and seasonal tropical fruits.
Yes! All produce meets strict organic standards with no synthetic pesticides or herbicides. We use only organic fertilizers, compost, and integrated pest management practices.
Home delivery available in designated zones for XCG 9 ($5) fee. Free pickup at The Keys Market and community centers. Flexible scheduling for Community Supporter members.
Automatic delivery holds during active threats with no penalty. Emergency food packages available for post-storm recovery. Membership extensions if deliveries are interrupted. Alternative pickup locations if primary sites are affected.
We continue operations June-September with hurricane-resistant crops, greenhouse production, and preserved goods from peak season. Reduced variety but consistent deliveries focused on food security.
No penalty holds during active storms. Automatic membership extension for missed deliveries. Emergency support through community networks. Post-storm recovery packages available.
Local production reduces dependence on imports that get disrupted during storms. Community networks provide mutual aid. Preserved goods inventory ensures supply continuity. Priority access to fresh food during recovery periods.
Eco Shares represent your investment in FFG’s sustainable development projects and provide community profit-sharing opportunities. As a community-funded development program “by the community and for the community,” Eco Shares align your CSA membership with FFG’s overall growth and success.
Simple calculation: For every $100 you spend on your CSA membership, you earn Eco Shares as community investment.
Automatic allocation based on your CSA investment:
Enhanced benefits for larger commitments:
Each Eco Share is valued at $106.80 and represents your stake in FFG’s sustainable development projects. As FFG grows and becomes more successful, your Eco Shares provide ongoing returns through profit-sharing distributions.
Rewarding greater community commitment:
Flexible wealth-building options:
Your CSA membership drives broader impact:
Building generational wealth through community success:
Yes, Eco Shares can be accumulated, reinvested for compound growth, or cashed out according to program terms. They’re designed for long-term community wealth building.
Weekly or bi-weekly depending on your package choice. Consistent delivery days scheduled at signup. Flexible timing for Community Supporter members.
Delivery holds available with advance notice. Friend/neighbor pickup arrangements possible. Donation options to community members during your absence.
Eco-friendly packaging using reusable containers when possible. Professional presentation suitable for gifting. Clear labeling with farm information and storage tips.
Variety is part of CSA experience – you’ll discover new favorites! Recipe suggestions and cooking workshops help you use everything. Community sharing encouraged for items you can’t use.
Your membership provides farmers with guaranteed income stability, premium pricing above wholesale market rates, and advance payments for cash flow security. This allows farmers to focus on quality production rather than worrying about finding buyers or market price fluctuations.
We work with farmers through three partnership models that offer different levels of community involvement and support, from independent farming to full cooperative membership with community ownership benefits.
29 direct farmer partnerships across all farm sizes, plus 40+ indirect jobs in processing, distribution, and support services. Total capacity: 400 CSA families maximum.
Absolutely! Your CSA membership includes access to heritage tours at Plantation Succour, educational workshops, harvest celebrations, and agri-tourism activities. Check our events calendar for scheduled tours and special events. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect directly with the farmers growing your food and experience the 300+ year-old heritage site where sustainable agriculture meets cultural preservation
Historic slave walls used as plot boundaries, traditional crop varieties cultivation, cultural storytelling integration, heritage artwork in communications, and intergenerational knowledge sharing.
HAICI (Heritage Agriculture Innovation Caribbean Institute) offers courses in sustainable farming, heritage crop cultivation, and Caribbean agricultural traditions, integrated with the CSA program.
Open enrollment typically July-September for November season start. Waitlist available year-round for next season placement. Limited spots – only 400 families maximum.
First month trial with full refund if not satisfied. Flexible adjustments to package size during season. Community support through member forums and networks.
Join the waitlist to secure next season placement. Priority notifications when spots become available. Estimated wait times updated quarterly.
Reduces 95% import dependence for participating families, builds local food production capacity, preserves traditional crop varieties, creates agricultural employment, and keeps food dollars in local economy!
400 families with improved food security, 29 farmers with guaranteed income, heritage site preservation, youth agricultural education, climate resilience building, and community wealth creation through Eco Shares.
Preservation workshops teach canning and drying techniques. Community sharing networks for excess produce. Recipe suggestions for using everything. Flexible package sizes to match consumption.
Harvested within 24-48 hours of delivery. 15km maximum farm-to-table distance. Optimal harvest timing for peak freshness and nutrition. Proper handling and post-harvest care protocols.
Organic certification ensures safe growing practices. Water quality testing for irrigation sources. Proper handling protocols throughout harvest and delivery. Traceability systems for complete food safety.
Seasonal breaks available between growing periods. Temporary holds for extended travel with advance notice. Membership transfer options during absences.
CSA Support: ffg-csa@marlinyard.org
WhatsApp: +31 850041137
Office: Vicky’s Keys Volunteer Center i/c FFG Customer Service, Plantation Succour, The Keys road #2-#8, lane 3, Upper Prince’s Quarter, Sint Maarten
Immediate response through WhatsApp customer service. Alternative pickup arrangements available. Replacement boxes for quality issues. Flexible solutions for logistics problems.
Community Gardens: ffga@marlinyard.org
WhatsApp: +31 850041137
Office: Vicky’s Keys Volunteer Center i/c FFG Community Gardens, Plantation Succour, The Keys road 2-8, lane 3, Upper Prince’s Quarter, Sint Maarten
Support available:
Monthly member surveys, direct communication with farmers, community forums for suggestions, annual member meetings for program improvements.