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What's Are the Real Differences Between an Actual CSA Farm Membership and
the Other Options? |
CSA/Community Supported Agriculture |
Co Ops, Food or Basket "Shares", Home Delivery Food Clubs |
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Shares Financial Risk with Farmer - Helping Preserve Small Family Farms |
Yes! |
Nope |
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100% of $ You Pay Supports the Farmer - Not a Middleman/Retail Outlet |
Yes! |
Nope |
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Gives farmers and growers the fairest return on their products |
Yes! |
Nope |
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Puts "the farmers face on food" and increases understanding of how, where,
and by whom our food is grown - Connects You and Your Family with the Grower
- Directly |
Yes! |
Nope |
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Celebrates Bounty or Lack of a Local Harvest as Nature Dictates |
Yes! |
Nope |
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Keeps food dollars in the local community and contributes to the maintenance
and establishment of regional food production |
Yes! |
Nope |
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Encourages communication and cooperation among farmers |
Yes! |
Nope |
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Supports the biodiversity of a given area and the diversity of agriculture
through the preservation of small farms producing a wide variety of crops |
Yes! |
Nope |
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Creates opportunity for dialogue between farmers and consumers |
Yes! |
Nope |
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Creates a sense of social responsibility and stewardship of local land |
Yes! |
Nope |
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Farmers can invest their time in doing the best job they can rather than
looking for buyers |
Yes! |
Nope |
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A Basic Description of How CSA Generally Works |
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A farmer or grower, often with the assistance of a core
group, draws up a budget reflecting the
production costs for the year. This includes all salaries, distribution
costs, investments for seeds and tools, land payments, machinery
maintenance, etc. |
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The budget is then divided by the number of people for which the farm will
provide and this determines the cost of each share of the harvest. One share
is usually designed to provide the weekly vegetable needs for a family of
four. (although your mileage may vary) Flowers, fruit, meat, honey, eggs and
dairy products are also available through some CSA. |
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Community members sign up and purchase their shares, either in one lump sum
before the seeds are sown, or in several installments through-out the
growing season/year. Production expenses are thereby guaranteed and the
farmer or grower starts receiving income as soon as work begins. |
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In return for their investment, CSA members receive fresh, locally-grown,
typically organic produce once a week from late spring through early fall,
and occasionally throughout the winter in northern climates and year-round
in milder zones. |
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CSA members prefer a wide variety of vegetables and herbs, which encourages
integrated cropping and companion planting. These practices help reduce risk
factors and give multiple benefits to the soil. Crops are planted in
succession in order to provide a continuous weekly supply of mixed
vegetables. As crops rotate throughout the season, weekly shares vary by
size and types of produce, reflecting local growing seasons and conditions. |
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CSA vary considerably as they are based on farm or garden location,
agricultural practices, and specific farm and community goals and needs. |
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Memberships are known to include a variety of community members including
low-income families, homeless people, senior citizens, and differently-abled
individuals. If provided, an extra fee typically is charged for home
delivery. |
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Most CSA invite members to visit the farm and welcome volunteer assistance.
This encourages transparency in the farm operation. Working shares are an
option in some cases, whereby a member commits to three or four hours a week
to help the farm in exchange for a discount on membership cost. |
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Some CSA provide produce for local restaurants, roadside stands or
farmers' markets while building farm membership, or in many cases, in
addition to it. |
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Special thanks to the contributors to this description of CSA: Robyn Van En,
CSA of North America (CSANA); Liz Manes, Colorado State University
Cooperative Extension; and Cathy Roth, UMass Extension Agroecology Program. |
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