Super Eco

What is CSA?

Community Supported Agriculture, or a CSA, is a way for the consumer to form a partnership with a local farmer. Consumers purchase shares in the farm's output and become "members" (or "shareholders," or "subscribers"), and in turn receive a weekly basket of the farm's produce during the growing season. There are over 2000 CSA farms across the U.S., and the majority of them adhere to organic standards for some if not all of their produce. Some CSA farms also require that members work a small number of hours on the farm during the growing season, which typically runs from late spring through early fall.

Benefits of CSA

CSA is a partnership of mutual commitment between a farm and a community of supporters and provides a direct link between the production and consumption of food. This mutually supportive relationship between local farmers, growers and community members helps create an economically stable farm operation in which members are assured the highest quality produce, often at below retail prices. In return, farmers and growers are guaranteed a reliable market for a diverse selection of crops.. Supporters cover a farm's yearly operating budget by purchasing a share of the season's harvest—CSA members make a commitment to support the farm throughout the season, and assume the costs, risks and bounty of growing food along with the farmer or grower. Members help pay for seeds, fertilizer, water, equipment maintenance, labor, etc. In return, the farm provides, to the best of its ability, a healthy supply of seasonal fresh produce throughout the growing season. Becoming a member creates a responsible relationship between people and the food they eat, the land on which it is grown and those who grow it.

History of CSA

CSA is a unique model of local agriculture whose roots reach back 30 years to Japan where a group of women concerned about the increase in food imports and the corresponding decrease in the farming population initiated a direct growing and purchasing relationship between their group and local farms. This arrangement, called "teikei" in Japanese, translates to "putting the farmers' face on food." This concept traveled to Europe and was adapted to the U.S. and given the name "Community Supported Agriculture" at Indian Line Farm, Massachusetts, in 1985.

How does it work?

The farmer draws up a budget reflecting the farm's production costs for the year,  including all salaries, distribution costs, investments for seeds and tools, land payments, machinery maintenance, etc. The budget is then divided by the number of people for which the farm will provide—this determines the cost of each share of the harvest. One share is usually designed to provide the weekly vegetable needs for a family of four. Often half-shares are available for smaller families. Though CSA farms typically grow mainly vegetables, flowers, fruit, meat, honey, eggs and dairy products are also available through some CSA. Weekly share baskets typically consist of 10-15 different types of produce, sometimes provided on a pick-your-own basis. 

Community members sign up and purchase their shares, usually in one lump sum before the seeds are sown in early spring, or sometimes in several installments throughout the growing season. Production expenses are thereby guaranteed and the farmer or grower starts receiving income as soon as work begins.

(Photo credit: Flickr thebittenword.com)