What is a CSA and why should I join?

There are lots of things going on in the month of June, so you’ll want to be sure to check out each of our weekly blogs this month to get the scoop! Since one of the things June is known for is “Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Month,” I want to highlight the benefits of joining a CSA.

What is a CSA? It stands for “community supported agriculture.” This is a way for consumers to purchase local, seasonal produce directly from a farmer. In general, the way it works is a farmer sells a certain number of “shares” to the public for a certain price. The share is usually a “box” that contains primarily produce, but may contain other food items as well (such as farm fresh eggs, cheese, etc.). Consumers who purchase a “share” receive this box of food each week (or however often they signed up to receive one) during the farming season. Depending on what part of the country you live in, it could be year round (with a couple of weeks of “break” once or twice a year), or it could be primarily in the spring and summer months. Here in central Texas, we are lucky to have CSAs that produce virtually year round.

Some CSAs are set up to where consumers can come and volunteer on the farm and then pick up their box. Others allow consumers to pick up their box at a specific location, such as a Farmer’s Market. Another concept slightly different from a traditional CSA is the “Farm to Work” program. This is a program where companies partner with local farmers and offer “shares” to their employees. The employees pay for their share and pick up their box at a designated time and location at their job site. This is an extremely convenient way to participate in a CSA. This benefits the company by giving their employees convenient access to healthy food, thereby increasing employees’ overall health and well being, which leads to a happier, more productive work force.

There are many advantages to participating in a CSA for both the consumer and the farmer. Benefits to the farmer include getting paid early for their crop, without having to lose profits to a “middle man,” and getting to know their customers. Benefits to consumers include much fresher and tastier produce, exposure to new vegetables and ways of cooking, knowing exactly where their food comes from, learning how their food is grown (often by getting to visit the farm), and getting produce that is grown by sustainable and organic methods (even if the farmer cannot afford to get the actual USDA “Organic” certification).

Some people may wonder why it is important to know how your food is produced and where it comes from. One big reason is safety; think of all the reports we’ve had over the past year of different food items being “recalled” due to contamination (tomatoes, peanuts, pistachios, etc.). If you know where (and how) your food was produced, it is much easier to track contamination if it happens.

To find a CSA in your area, go to http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

Interested in starting a Farm to Work program at your place of employment? Check out https://sustainablefoodcenter.org/farmtowork/