Community Supported Agriculture
CSA Benefits
By: Gerald Carter
What is CSA?
CSA is a food production and distribution system that directly connects farmers and consumers. Consumers buy "shares" in a farm's harvest in advance. It allows farmers to have a guaranteed market for their produce.
Some Benefits
Ultra-fresh, locally grown produce- By far the number one reason for participating in CSA. Farms give their members the very best of their produce and more. Unique varieties are often given to CSA members before others.
Learn about new vegetables and fruits- You never know what might show up in your box.
Saves time- A definite gain in convenience. Picking up a box simply takes less time that going to the farmers market or choosing, bagging, and paying for produce at the store.
Access to special buys- Farms often offer seasonal deals to their CSA members.
Growth
In 1986 there were only two CSA farms in the USA. Now however, estimating conservatively, there are currently over 6,000 CSAs in the US, possibly as many as 6,500. Meanwhile, the trend of growth continues onward and upward.