Think spring (or summer)--join a CSA!

No, a CSA is not someone who will prepare your taxes, nor is it a string of genetic code or an acronym for a top-secret government agency, although it is an acronym. CSA stands for community supported agriculture, and is defined by the USDA as “a new idea in farming, one that has been gaining momentum since its introduction to the United States … where consumers interested in safe food and farmers seeking stable markets for their crops joined together in economic partnerships.” While I don’t think the idea is necessarily new—people were buying from local farmers long before mega-supermarkets came into existence—I do believe that many people are not aware that CSAs exist in their communities or of the benefits that participating in a CSA brings to everyone involved. For an average cost of $350 - $550 (usually paid in the winter), consumers receive a share of a farm or cooperative's crops, most often in the form of weekly farm boxes, from late spring until early fall. The farmers benefit by receiving funds to start their crops when they need it (late winter and early spring), and consumers benefit by receiving fresh, locally grown produce, eggs, meat, and other products throughout the warmer months, usually for a lesser price than they would pay at the grocery store for inferior foods. Many CSAs also offer volunteer opportunities and "farm experiences", both of which are great for families. Moreover, CSAs foster strong community ties by bringing together local people and local businesses.

Not sure where to find a CSA near you? A good place to start is Local Harvest, a website dedicated to bringing together communities and farmers all over the US. If you live in Massachusetts, be sure to check out NOFA's site for a list of CSAs in our state. This was how I located my CSA at Colchester Neighborhood Farm in Plympton. For more information about CSAs, visit the CSA section of the USDA website. And don't despair if you live in the city--many CSAs deliver farm boxes to predetermined locations in cities across the country.

One last note--if you want to participate in a CSA this year, the time to join is now: many farms sell out of shares well before the first signs of spring. For me, one of the best parts of belonging to a CSA is the knowledge that I will be spending this summer eating fresh, nutritious, locally grown produce, eggs, and meat and supporting local farmers while others who didn't do their homework will be forced to be content with what they find on the supermarket shelves. I already feel sorry for them.

Kate
The Ordinary Organic