What is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)?
How it works:
The farmer offers a specific number of shares to the community each season. Consumers buy a share and in return receive local, seasonal produce on a weekly basis throughout the farming season. The share typically consists of a bag or box of vegetables, but other products from the farm maybe included.
Advantages:
Share holders receive flavorful, vitamin rich, and truly fresh produce. They also get to experience a variety of products, some of which thye may not have tried or tasted before. Share holders are able to develop a relationship with their food source, the farmer in this case. Finally, they learn more about how their food is grown and perhaps skills to do so themselves.
Shared Risks:
There is a small chance, as with any business, that the product is not what was promised. This can happen for a number of reasons on a farm (e.g. bad weather, unexpected death). Therefore, before signing up for a CSA, individuals must be sure they prepared for a season that may come up short. That being said, often times the notion of shared risk creates a sense of community between CSA members and the farmer, not to mention a greater appreciation of the land and its bounty.
The farmer offers a specific number of shares to the community each season. Consumers buy a share and in return receive local, seasonal produce on a weekly basis throughout the farming season. The share typically consists of a bag or box of vegetables, but other products from the farm maybe included.
Advantages:
Share holders receive flavorful, vitamin rich, and truly fresh produce. They also get to experience a variety of products, some of which thye may not have tried or tasted before. Share holders are able to develop a relationship with their food source, the farmer in this case. Finally, they learn more about how their food is grown and perhaps skills to do so themselves.
Shared Risks:
There is a small chance, as with any business, that the product is not what was promised. This can happen for a number of reasons on a farm (e.g. bad weather, unexpected death). Therefore, before signing up for a CSA, individuals must be sure they prepared for a season that may come up short. That being said, often times the notion of shared risk creates a sense of community between CSA members and the farmer, not to mention a greater appreciation of the land and its bounty.
