CSA Reaps in Benefits
IS Community Supported Agriculture the new way to go?
By: Luke del Balzo
What is CSA?
CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture, is a new form of fresh food for city dwellers. CSA allows residents of a city to have immediate access to fresh, high quality produce grown by local farmers. When you join a CSA, members typically pay $400 as an initial payment. The money allows farmers to purchase seeds and prepare the farm for the seasons' harvests. When you pay to join you are purchasing a share of the farmers' harvest during given periods. These shares come in the form of baskets that are either delivered to drop off sites or may even be picked up at the farm. The baskets include varieties of vegetables and produce that are concurrent with the season.
Benefits!
Fresh Food!
CSA Members are able to buy the freshest food for their family. They are able to discover new vegetables grown by their regional farmers as well as receive the highest quality of their favorites. Some farmers will even include flowers, eggs, honey, and more! Since CSA may be used to test produce that farmers are considering selling on a larger scale, consumers are able to receive unique varieties that would not be found at a local supermarket.
Environmentally Friendly!
Becoming a member of a CSA does not only benefit you and your family, but the local consumption of goods diminishes indirect costs of vegetables to the environment. When members receive their produce, the vegetables are products of farms very close in proximity to the members' homes. As a result, transportation of produce is shrunk thus limiting environmental pollution from longer routes of transportation. In addition to limiting transportation pollution, many of the farmers in CSA are committed to practicing environmentally safe and eco-friendly farming practices. This means that the farmers do not use herbicides or pesticides that damage the surrounding area, and they farm in methods that takes care of the soil.
Supports Farmers!
CSA's not only benefit the consumers, but they also help out the farmers. Since consumers pay early in the season, farmers are able to regulate cash flow throughout the season, make repairs to any equipment needed, and purchase any necessary seeds. CSA also allows farmers to solely focus on their produce throughout the season. Since orders and applications are taken before the farming season starts, farmers do not have to worry about finding buyers for their produce.