What is a CSA?
"Over the last 20 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of "shares" to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a "membership" or a "subscription") and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season."
Information provided by www.LocalHarvest.org
"Community Supported Agriculture consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community's farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production....By direct sales to community members, who have provided the farmer with working capital in advance, growers receive better prices for their crops, gain some financial security, and are relieved of much of the burden of marketing. " www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/csa/csa.shtml
CSAs are different from buying clubs and home delivery services, where the consumer buys a specific product at a predetermined price. CSA members purchase only what the farm is able to successfully grow and harvest, sharing some of the growing risk with the farmer. If the strawberry crop is not successful, for example, the CSA member will share the burden of the crop failure by receiving fewer or lower quality strawberries for the season.....An advantage of the close consumer-producer relationship is increased freshness of the produce, because it does not have to be shipped long distances. The close proximity of the farm to the members also helps the environment by reducing pollution caused by transporting the produce. CSAs often include recipes and farm news in each box. Tours of the farm and work days are announced. Over a period of time, consumers get to know who is producing their food, and what production methods are used.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community-supported_agriculture
Information provided by www.LocalHarvest.org
"Community Supported Agriculture consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community's farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production....By direct sales to community members, who have provided the farmer with working capital in advance, growers receive better prices for their crops, gain some financial security, and are relieved of much of the burden of marketing. " www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/csa/csa.shtml
CSAs are different from buying clubs and home delivery services, where the consumer buys a specific product at a predetermined price. CSA members purchase only what the farm is able to successfully grow and harvest, sharing some of the growing risk with the farmer. If the strawberry crop is not successful, for example, the CSA member will share the burden of the crop failure by receiving fewer or lower quality strawberries for the season.....An advantage of the close consumer-producer relationship is increased freshness of the produce, because it does not have to be shipped long distances. The close proximity of the farm to the members also helps the environment by reducing pollution caused by transporting the produce. CSAs often include recipes and farm news in each box. Tours of the farm and work days are announced. Over a period of time, consumers get to know who is producing their food, and what production methods are used.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community-supported_agriculture
Benefits of a CSA membership
- Eat ultra-fresh food, with all the flavor and vitamin benefits
- Get exposed to new vegetables and new ways of cooking
- Have the opportunity to visit the farm
- Introduce children to where some of their food comes from and how it gets to the table
- Develope a sense of community with the farmer and learn more about eco-friendly farming
FAQ's
"About how much produce do you expect to deliver each week, and how does that vary from the beginning of the season to the end?"
Enough of each included crop for at least two people (perhaps 8-12 common garden vegetables). Seasonal eating is implied, as shares are usually based on the outdoor growing season, which means a smaller selection at the beginning and perhaps the end of the period, as well as a changing variety as the season progresses. (wikipedia.com) Downing Farms has a downloadable list of what to expect and approximately when to exepect it.
"What are the risks associated with CSA's?"
Downing Farms will post regular updates on the blog to keep you abreast of all of our crop conditions. In the event of a weakened crop, your basket will contain less of that crop item.
Enough of each included crop for at least two people (perhaps 8-12 common garden vegetables). Seasonal eating is implied, as shares are usually based on the outdoor growing season, which means a smaller selection at the beginning and perhaps the end of the period, as well as a changing variety as the season progresses. (wikipedia.com) Downing Farms has a downloadable list of what to expect and approximately when to exepect it.
"What are the risks associated with CSA's?"
Downing Farms will post regular updates on the blog to keep you abreast of all of our crop conditions. In the event of a weakened crop, your basket will contain less of that crop item.
Is a CSA right for me?
To find out if a CSA is a good investment for you, take our questionnaire.
1. Do you enjoy eating a wide variety of things?
2. Do you enjoy cooking with new ingredients?
3. Do you cook/prepare meals 4 or more times a week?
4. Do you know where to find recipes for foods you may not have cooked before?
5. Is healthy eating important to you and your family?
6. Is supporting the local economy important to you?
If you answered yes to most of these questions, than a CSA is right for you. If not, remember, you can always buy ala carte from us at the market or fresh from the farm.
1. Do you enjoy eating a wide variety of things?
2. Do you enjoy cooking with new ingredients?
3. Do you cook/prepare meals 4 or more times a week?
4. Do you know where to find recipes for foods you may not have cooked before?
5. Is healthy eating important to you and your family?
6. Is supporting the local economy important to you?
If you answered yes to most of these questions, than a CSA is right for you. If not, remember, you can always buy ala carte from us at the market or fresh from the farm.
