In Community Supported Agriculture, a local, informal group—called a “CSA” for short—buys directly from a local organic farmer. The number of CSAs in the U.S. has grown from about 50 in 1990 to over 1000 today as people become more interested in the quality of their food and organic farming.

The details of how each CSA is run will vary, but it essentially involves members purchasing “shares” up front to cover production expenses for the farmer. Members typically pick up a bag of fresh produce each week throughout the growing season. One share translates to enough vegetables for a family of four. Shares for other items such as fruit, dairy, and meat may also be available.

What are the benefits of belonging to a CSA?

Beyond Broccoli

CSAs are a great way to try new veggies. You will experience a diversity of in-season vegetables without even thinking about it! Think of the farmer as a good DJ spinning the freshest hits: spinach, tomatoes, romaine, red leaf, and Boston lettuce, turnips, escarole, bok choy, zucchini, beets, fava, cauliflower, onions, kale, chard, and many more… yes, broccoli too. Many CSAs even provide a weekly newsletter with recipe ideas for the week’s produce.

Eat Healthy

Local organic farming provides the freshest, tastiest vegetables you may ever eat. Organic produce that comes straight from the local farm will have greater nutritional value than produce that may have traveled or been stored for a length of time before reaching store shelves and that was grown with pesticides.

Build Community

Through the group’s operational efforts and weekly food pickups—which are often at a member’s home—a CSA helps bring together likeminded people who care about the quality of their food and its environmental impact. Also, food dollars are kept in the local community.

Thought for Food

CSAs can increase awareness of our food sources—especially for kids. Food doesn’t just magically appear on supermarket shelves in bright boxes! The more aware of our food sources we are, the better food choices we will make.

Reduce Environmental Impact

Local organic farming significantly reduces environmental impact by steering clear of harmful pesticides and chemicals that stay on food and get into the water supply. Also, local food travels short distance to consumers, reducing fuel use and carbon emissions.

Save Money

That’s right—all these amazing benefits can actually cost you less than comparable supermarket shopping! Agreeing in advance to buy what the farmer harvests lets the farmer avoid significant risks in the marketplace and pass the savings on to you.

Get Started

Localharvest.org is an excellent resource for finding or starting a local CSA, as well as information on organic food and farmers markets. If you think it may be a challenge to use all the food you get each week, you can split your share with friends. Have a child who is partial to broccoli? Of course you can continue to shop for it at your local market if it’s not already part of this week’s CSA share. Chances are everyone in your family will appreciate vegetables more when they come from your local farmer.