What are CSAs anyways?

For some consumers, CSAs provide relief from the rising costs of organic food, while for others, participating in a CSA is a delicious way to reduce their carbon footprint. There are those who join CSAs to ensure that their fruits and vegetables are responsibly grown and safe to eat. And then there are people who will join a CSA because local, organic food simply tastes better.

Whatever the reason for joining, there are between 1300 and 3000 family-owned farms in the United States that are supported by their local communities. CSAs can be defined as a group of individuals, who buy shares of or a membership to a local farm in return for a weekly bounty of organic fruits and vegetables. Some CSAs also offer eggs, milk, meat, and flowers to their members.

The cost averages around $15 per week and many CSAs offer discounts for low-income families and senior citizens. The price varies depending on the size of the farm, whether or not the community is close enough to volunteer, and the farms distribution method. Some farms trade volunteering or working-shares for a discount while almost all CSA farms invite the shareholders or members for to visit. Consumer transparency is vital to the CSA system.

Depending on how far the farm is from the community, there are usually several pick-up and delivery options. Many CSAs are organized by schools and community centers, which also serve as the pick-up point for their members. Some farms even offer home delivery. And if a share can’t be picked up, most CSAs will donate unclaimed shares and surplus to local soup kitchens, churches, and low-income housing centers.

A CSA is the most direct link between the farm and the table. This partnership frees the farmers from subscribing to monoculture, using chemicals to boost production or having to grow produce that is genetically engineered to survive the long, refrigerated transport times. CSA farmers are also committed to economic and environmental sustainability, preserving biodiversity, and keeping food dollars in the community. This kind of direct marketing also ensures that American farmers are getting the fairest return on their produce. The connection goes the other direction as well; consumers actually get to know the people who are raising their food.

Alternative distribution systems began appearing in Japan. Europe, and Australia in the 1960s. Concerned with the quality of conventionally produced food, Japanese mothers created a direct growing and buying relationship with local farmers, called a teikei, in order to have more control over what they were consuming and feeding to their families. Teikei, which translates to “cooperation” or “joint-business”, is also referred to as “food with the farmer’s face on it.”

CSAs should not be confused with buying clubs because while members and shareholders share in harvest, they also share in the risk. There is no guaranteed amount of produce each season but there is guaranteed stewardship of the land, participation in socially responsible agriculture, and pride in eating seasonally and organically. CSAs make organic, high quality, healthful foods affordable and available to everyone. For more information on CSAs as well as tips for locating a CSA in your area, check out my hub titled "More CSA Information and Resources."