Join A Local CSA
Community Supported Agriculture or CSA are becoming more popular than ever with more and more people beginning to support their local community farms. A CSA is like a produce subscription where you can receive fresh fruits and vegetables from a local farm or farms. You usually arrange a weekly pickup location to receive your produce. All that is required is that you make an initial contribution to cover the expenses of the farm(s) throughout the growing season.
The idea of community supported agriculture was not started in America, but in Europe and Asia. Just as we are concerned about our food quality today, many communities began teaming up with their local farms to form partnerships in the mid 1960’s. It did not make its way to America until 1984. Since then, it has spread throughout our country, but more highly concentrated in the Northeast, upper Mid-West and Pacific regions. It is estimated that as many as 3,000 farms throughout North America now participate in some form of CSA program.
Types of CSAs
There are a variety of types of CSAs that are implemented including:
- Whole season budget for providing produce for a set number of weeks.
- Consumers help in the production of whatever harvest they are to receive.
- A risk and reward system where consumers get what the farm is able to grow.
I would say the most common type that I have heard of is the first in which you pay an upfront cost and receive produce for a set number of weeks throughout the growing season. It allows you to receive a steady stream of produce throughout the season and choose what types you receive. The other two options are slightly hard, but can reap higher reward and may be slightly less expensive.
Kind of Produce
Just as with Farmer’s Markets, you will get produce that is in season for you local area. Depending on your area, you can get anything from broccoli to arugula and even strawberries. This can be a drawback if you are expecting to receive tomatoes the entire season, but the farm only grows them for a few weeks during the growing season. You can always preserve the produce during their peak time and save them for the winter.
Advantages
There are tons of advantages to a CSA program, probably too many to list. Here are some of the best reasons to join one this season:
- Produce is fresh, locally grown and sometimes organic.
- Save money by paying a lump sum at the beginning of the season.
- Choose different produce each week.
- Save trips to the grocery store or farmer’s markets.
- Support your community farms.
I am going to be joining a local farm’s community supported agriculture program here in Maryland that delivers to several farmer’s markets and locations throughout the area. I am only paying $10 a week to get several different types of produce every week starting in June and lasts for 24 weeks. Check out Local Harvest to find a CSA in your area. Please share any experiences you may have with a CSA in your area or if you plan on joining one this season.
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