Community Supported Agriculture

Thinking about signing up for a CSA but want to learn more about the idea before you commit? Read on.

Over the last 20 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of “shares” to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of meat, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a “membership” or a “subscription”) and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of product bi-weekly throughout the farming season.

This arrangement creates several rewards for both the farmer and the consumer. In brief…

Advantages for farmers:

•    Get to spend time marketing the food early in the year
•    Receive payment early in the season, which helps with the farm’s cash flow
•    Have an opportunity to get to know the people who eat the food they grow

Advantages for consumers: 

•    Eat local ultra-fresh food, with all the flavor and vitamin benefits, and stock your freezer for convenience.
•    You are welcome to visit the farm
•    Find that kids typically favor food from “their” farm
•    Develop a relationship with the farmer who grows their food and learn more about how food is grown and support the local economy!

It’s a simple enough idea, but its impact has been profound. Tens of thousands of families have joined CSAs, and in some areas of the country there is more demand than there are CSA farms to fill it.