What's a CSA
So, What’s a CSA?
A CSA, (Community Supported Agriculture) is a way for members of the community to create a relationship with a local farmer and to receive a weekly basket of produce. By making a financial commitment to a farmer, people become "subscribers" or “shareholders” of the CSA. The majority of CSA farmers have members pay for the season up-front. Some CSAs (not this one!) also require that members work a small number of hours on the farm during the growing season.
A CSA season typically runs through the primary growing season, from late spring through early fall. CSAs have their roots in Europe and the UK and have grown by leaps and bounds in this country in the last five years.
In addition to all the bounty, a weekly basket often includes a newsletter with farm news, and recipes for some of the seasonal produce in your basket.
How is the CSA good for farmers?
Most of farmers’ costs occur during the off season when there is little cash flow and a good deal of expenses for things like seeds, fertilizers, part-time help, boxes, permits, insurance, and other market needs. Many farmers are forced to take out loans or run up credit card debt in order to pay for these. Getting their money up front allows farmers to lower their overall costs and earn money free and clear during the season.
How is the CSA good for customers?
Customers end up paying much less for produce they’d buy at the supermarket or, at times, even the farmers market. You’ll also get the cream of the crop each week and CSA members have first dibs on things like asparagus, sugar snap peas, and the first heirloom tomatoes.
Joining a CSA will help you stick to your health goals by establishing a habit of buying a basket of local, sustainably raised fruits and vegetables to have on hand all the time.
Customers can feel good about establishing a relationship and supporting local farmers. You’ll also be helping to protect farmland by keeping it in production while at the same time enjoying the healthiest and most delicious food available. (I imagine you will also save gas by not running to the supermarket twice a week).
Also, the food you get in your basket will be picked the day before or the same day you receive it. So there’s no way to really compare it to what you would buy at the supermarket.
Most CSA subscriptions extend from May through September or October. The price range for various shares are from around $200. to $600. for larger shares. For more information, please contact the participating farms below. To find CSA farmers in your area you can go to www.localharvest.org,