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CSA
What is CSA?
Over the last 20 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farm. Community Supported Agriculture connects people with the farms and farmers who grow their food. Members invest in a season’s worth of produce before the growing year begins by subscribing to a share type that suits their needs. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. In return for their investment, members receive a box of seasonal produce each week throughout the harvest period. In addition, members may choose to purchase egg shares as offered by the CSA. This arrangement rewards for both the member and the farmer in a number of ways:
Advantages for members:
- Eat ultra-fresh food with all of the flavor, vitamins, and nutrients that only local sustainable produce can provide
- Try new vegetable varieties and discover new ways to prepare them
- Visit the farm to see exactly where your food comes from
- Kids typically favor food from “their” farm – even veggies they’ve never been known to eat
- A great opportunity to develop a relationship with the farmer who grows their food and to learn more about how food is grown
Advantages for farmers:
- Ability to spend time marketing their produce early in the year, before their long days in the field begin
- Receipt of payment early in the season helps maintain healthy cash flow on the farm
- Farmers develop a one-on-one relationship with members, who provide valuable feedback