What is a CSA?

Lately I've been talking to friends a lot about living simpler lives and going back to an old fashioned mentality of living of off our own resources, supporting local businesses, buying handmade goods, and trying to live a healthier and more organic lifestyle.

Rachel's roommate Claire, was the first person to tell me about CSAs. CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), is a movement that I'm hoping is going to continue to grow.

CSA as defined by localharvest.org:

Many farms offer produce subscriptions, where buyers receive a weekly or monthly basket of produce, flowers, fruits, eggs, milk, coffee, or any sort of different farm products.

A CSA, (for Community Supported Agriculture) is a way for the food buying public to create a relationship with a farm and to receive a weekly basket of produce. By making a financial commitment to a farm, people become "members" (or "shareholders," or "subscribers") of the CSA. Most CSA farmers prefer that members pay for the season up-front, but some farmers will accept weekly or monthly payments. Some CSAs also require that members work a small number of hours on the farm during the growing season.

A CSA season typically runs from late spring through early fall. The number of CSAs in the United States was estimated at 50 in 1990, and has since grown to over 1000.

Find the CSA nearest you and support your local farmers!



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