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Written by Greeniac24   
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Tuesday, 01 July 2008

Join a Community Supported Agriculture Operation

A community supported agriculture operation is a local farm funded by community members. In return for their patronage members receive a share of the farm's harvest - typically in the form of a weekly produce box. CSAs offer a convenient way to eat local, organic, and seasonal food.

BENEFITS for the Environment:

When you shop at your local store, chances are that the produce that you have been buying is not from your neighborhood, or even from your region. In the United States, the average distance produce travels from production to retail is 1,500 miles. This distance is further increased when out of season produce must be imported from other countries. Members of a CSA can rest assured that fossil fuels are not being needlessly burned to put organic food on the table.

CSA operations are organic farms, so there are no fertilizers, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers used. Additionally, food waste is minimized because CSA farmers know how much to harvest in order to adequately supply their customers.

BENEFITS for You:

Since CSA produce does not have to travel such great distances, you will receive fresher produce at the peak of its flavor and nutritional content. Having a wide variety of produce that differs by season available allows you to become creative in the kitchen!

Additionally, as a member of a CSA, you have the opportunity to interact directly with the farmers and give them feedback, creating a dialogue that is lost in the hustle and bustle of the grocery store. This relationship also keeps farmers accountable for their product.

BENEFITS for the Community:

By supporting local farms, you will be keeping your dollars within the community, helping to strengthen the local economy. Also, some CSAs offer special festivals and tours throughout the year.

BENEFITS for the Farmers:

Receiving money from member shareholders prior to the growing season allows farmers to cover overhead costs. This also allows farmers to focus on cultivating quality produce rather than worrying about finding consumers for their produce. Because of the customer relationships fostered by CSAs, farmers can make improvements and adjustments based directly on customer comments.

Cost: Low

In comparison to store bought produce, CSA produce has been found to be less or equal in price. Annual shares cost between $300-700.

Time and effort: Low to Moderate

The process of signing up takes merely a phone call or a visit to a website. Once you become a member, all you have to do is wait for your weekly delivery or make a trip to collect your goods, depending on whether you opt for delivery or pickup.

It may take extra effort to adjust to eating seasonally as you may not be familiar with how to incorporate certain items into meals. To help with this challenge, some CSAs offer classes and recipes to suggest ideas for preparing their products.

Joining a CSA:

First of all, you need to find a CSA in your area. The following websites can aid you in your search:

Local Harvest
Wilson College CSA Search
FoodRoutes.org

Each CSA is unique, so you should call around or browse websites to find out which one is the most suitable for you. While searching, pay special attention to the following:

Payment options: Some farms have set payment schedules - monthly, quarterly, or yearly - while others give you the option of choosing the most convenient payment schedule for you. When given an option, discounts may be given to those who opt to pay for longer time periods. In all cases, payments are made in advance.

Vacation penalties: There may be a week or two during the year where you are out of town and won't require your weekly box. Some farms charge you nothing to put your order on hold, while others may charge you a minimal fee. Of course, there is always the option of donating your weekly portion to a local shelter or soup kitchen.

Options to select your produce delivery: Most CSA operations self-select the produce for each week, but there are some that give you the option of selecting the produce for yourself. A few will even allow you to go to the farm and handpick your box! Some also provide all-fruit or all-vegetable box options.

Different share quantities are offered: Households vary in size. Fortunately, so do shares! Be sure that the farm you select has an option that is suitable to your household needs. Most CSAs are flexible in this respect and will accommodate your situation.

Options for delivery/pick-up frequency: If weekly deliveries provide more food than you require, look for a CSA that offers bi-weekly or even monthly shares.

Once you have a selected a CSA, becoming a member is simple - the only thing left for you to do is sign up and savor your greens! If you want more of a taste of what you are getting into, some farms offer sample boxes and tours free of charge. Contact your local CSA and see what options are available to you!

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