At the start of the season you commit to a share from a local farm. The farm uses that commitment to plan their growing season, and in return you get a weekly or bi-weekly box of whatever is fresh and in season. Most shares run from late spring through fall, though some farms offer winter shares too.
The variety changes week to week. Some weeks it is all tomatoes and corn. Some weeks you get something you have never cooked before. That is part of it.
Eight CSA farms in the Monadnock region have partnered with the Cheshire County Conservation District to offer vegetable shares at 50% of their regular price for income-qualifying households. The program is administered by CCCD and runs each growing season. Applications open in late winter, so sign up early.
Hillside Springs Farm offers CSA shares at half price for community members who need a more affordable option.