In addition to farmers markets, community supported
agriculture (CSA) is becoming more and more popular,
especially in major cities. CSA provides a direct link
between local farmers and consumers. Each season, members
purchase a share of a farmer's crop before it's planted.
This allows the farmer to pay for seed, water, equipment,
etc, upfront, so s/he is less reliant on banks and loans.
Each week, usually during June through October, the
farmer delivers great tasting, healthy food to pre-determined
spots in the city. In some instances, members pick up
the share from the farm directly. The food is harvested
either the morning of pick up or the day before, ensuring
fresh, great-tasting produce.
CSA members share in the harvest -- when there is a
good growing season, everyone benefits. When the season
is not so good, members shoulder the risk. This type
of arrangement helps people living in cities to connect
back to the earth and the food they eat. CSA organizers
often host farm days, where members are invited to visit
the farm and both picnic and help in the fields. Many
also offer recipes and suggestions on how to cook the
unique variety of vegetables that are offered each week.
Characteristics of Community Supported
Agriculture
- Local farmers connect directly
with consumers, which helps develop a regional food
supply and strong local economy. CSA cuts out the
'middleman', which lowers costs to both farmer and
consumer.
- CSA farmers typically use organic
or biodynamic farming methods, minimizing environmental
pollution and encouraging land stewardship.
- Most CSA programs offer a variety
of vegetables, fruits and herbs in season. Some provide
a full array of farm produce, including shares in
eggs, meat, milk, baked goods and even firewood.
- CSA helps maintain a sense of
community. Some are dedicated to serving particular
community needs, such as helping the homeless, disabled,
or youth and low income groups.
- CSA members purchase a share
before the season starts and shoulder the risks along
with the farmer.
National
Locate
a CSA Farm Near You
Listing of CSA farms by state, and even includes some
international listings. (Robyn Van En Center for CSA
Resources, Sustainable Agriculture Network and Alternative
Farming Systems Information Center, a division of the
USDA)
Regional
Twin
Cities Area CSA (Minnesota)
CSA information for residents of the Minneapolis/St.
Paul area with farms in both Minnesota and Wisconsin.
(Land Stewardship Project)
Just
Food (New York)
Just Food helps establish CSA outlets in the New York
City area. They connect farmers with community groups,
train the residents to run a CSA, and provide support.
Community groups work directly with the farmers. Site
provides a listing of CSA programs in New York City,
along with contact information to join. They also work
on a city farms program, encouraging city residents
to grow their own food in community gardens.
Share
the Harvest (Washington
DC Area)
More than a dozen farms in the Washington area have
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. (Washington
Post, March 26, 2003)
For more information:
Defining
Community Supported Agriculture
An excerpt from Community Supported Agriculture (CSA):
An Annotated Bibliography and Resource Guide by Suzanne
DeMuth, September 1993. (Alternative Farming Information
Center, USDA)
Organizations
and Web Sites Related to Community Supported Agriculture
From the Alternative Farming Systems Information Center,
National Agricultural Library, Agricultural Research
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
What
is Community Supported Agriculture and How Does It Work?
Background on CSA and what they are. (UMass Extension,
University of Massachusetts)
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