What is a csa?

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. CSA members are in a partnership with one or more local farms. CSA members buy shares from the farms, and in return, the farms supply the members with fresh, local, in-season produce and other farm products. Members pay the full cost of their shares upfront when they register in April or May. This gives the farm working capital at the start of the growing season to buy seeds, equipment, and labor for the coming year. Since there is no middleman, the full purchase price of these products goes directly to the farm.

CSA members share some of the risks of farming with their local farmers, thereby ensuring the survival of the farm. If it’s a bountiful year, the CSA members share in that bounty. If the farm suffers from bad weather or a tomato blight, CSA members assume some of the loss, ensuring that the farm survives. Both the farm and its CSA members do their part to maintain a healthy local foodshed.

Small farmers work really hard, and we don’t know any who have gotten rich from farming. Farmers strive to give their CSA members the best prices they can, and they work hard to produce the fruit and vegetables that we get. CSA members are in a direct relationship with their farmers. We can let them know what we want more of and what we want less of, as they strive to produce the most variety and the highest quality food for us.