In keeping with the current theme of focusing on eating local and in-season, I am highlighting CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) as an easy way to get your veggies and eat them too. Of course, CSAs are not the only way to get your local food, farmers markets and farm stands offer many options. Whether you like to pick what and how much you buy, or automate the process, read on for some practical ideas that make it easy.
What is a CSA?
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. A CSA is a way for consumers to buy local food directly from the farmer. The concept has been around, commercially, for over 25 years, but its origins reach much further back to the 1960s (read more about the origins of this important history at https://modernfarmer.com/2021/05/the-csas-roots-in-black-history/). CSAs have increased in popularity over the past few years as the concepts of sustainable agriculture and building local economies have grown in popularity.
How does it work?
You purchase a “share” of crops from a particular farm at the start of the growing season. The farmer makes available that “share” for a specified period of time, “the growing season”. What’s in it for you? A fresh supply of local food produced by the farm. How about the farmer? A guaranteed market (and income) for their products. In simple terms, CSAs help small farms gain a solid, guaranteed market for their products, while providing consumers with a steady stream of healthy, fresh and affordable food. In terms of sustainable agriculture, CSAs help small local farms survive and thrive. Without a stable market for their products many could not survive in competition against the agricultural giants that dominate the US food market.
Amount and variety of products in a CSA varies
Growing conditions affect the content of your share including amount and variety. Normally the farmer assumes all the risk during the growing season. In a CSA both you and the farmer share the risk. What does that mean? If the conditions are just right for a great growing season you get lots of food and variety. Marginal or bad growing conditions may mean lower quantity and selection for that season. Planting a variety of food helps reduce the risk that nothing will grow. When pests, drought or disease strike having a variety ensures that something will grow and thrive. That might mean that even though a regular potato crop may be poor you may still have access to plenty of sweet potatoes.
Each CSA design is different
Most people associate CSAs with vegetables, sometimes fruit but there are other options. CSA’s can include products such as eggs, meat and even farm prepared foods (pickles, tomato sauces, jams, honey are just a few examples). Some farms offer flowers as a CSA option. Some farms offer opportunities to purchase additional quantities of popular items such as boxes of tomatoes for making homemade sauce. The sizes can vary as well. While many programs offer only one size of share and one pickup location others offer different sizes to accommodate different family needs. Large shares for vegetarians, quarter shares for single buyers who love veggies or small families trying it out, are some of the options. Generally, a CSA delivers ultra-fresh products at better than supermarket prices for comparable goods.
Where can I find a CSA?
CSAs are available throughout the country and many ways to find them. You can start by searching websites such as https://www.localharvest.org/ or https://www.harvie.farm/ to connect you to farms in your area. Next contact the farms directly to learn more about the options they offer, costs and availability. You may find that some farms have shares available right until the start of their season while others sell out months in advance. Find out about usual products grown, quantities and pickup or delivery options. Ask questions, before you commit, to make sure you find the right fit for you.
Farm stands
Buying a CSA share can seem like a big commitment and can mean a significant prepayment at one time. They are also not the only way to get your fresh and local produce. Unlike a CSA, farm stands and farm markets do not require a pre-purchase or a commitment. Farm stands generally operate on the farm property and tend to be small with minimal space and limited products offered at any given time (just what is ready at that time). Many smaller stands operate on the honor system (with products available for pick-up and a deposit box for payments). Most farm stands do have operating hours, even if unstaffed, and items for sale are available on a “while supplies last” basis. Most produce at farm stands is picked and put up for sale on the same day.
Farm based markets
Farm markets tend to be larger than farm stands but are still located on farm property. Generally located in buildings, they offer a larger selection of products such as produce, meat, eggs and preserved items. Some have bakeries or offer other prepared foods. Farm markets can offer a “small grocery store” shopping experience with many food items available in one place. Some farm markets offer items from other local farms or businesses, that they themselves do not produce, to increase options for customers.
Farmers markets
Farmers markets are a collection of, mostly local, businesses and farms that offer their goods for sale. Located in a variety of places, some operate daily, in a more or less permanent fashion, while others happen on a weekly basis. Weekly farmers markets are common. The start of a growing season mean a variety of options for farmers markets. Many farmers markets operate in outdoor locations and can provide a safe shopping experience.
Where can I find a farm stand or farm market?
You can find farm stands on your own by driving some of your local roads or asking your neighbors. Many farm stands are located at the end of the farm property right next to a road. Check out my blog post https://manageablepieces.com/in-season-local-food-rocks/ for ideas on finding local farm stands and farm markets in your area. Additionally, many towns have agricultural commissions that highlight local farms. Check out your town (or neighboring town) website for references to agriculture and local farms. If in the past you visited a local town farmer’s market reach out to your town to see what the status is for this year.
Bottom line, supermarkets are not the only sources of food during the local growing season. You can get ultra-fresh, local food directly from the farmers, often for less money, while enjoying the fresh outdoor air. Eating local is never boring, more nutritious and often cheaper. It may require a little bit more effort but your taste buds are sure to thank you. Get out there and discover the joy of “EATING WHAT THE FARMER EATS”.
Want even more fun? Join me for a Scavenger Hunt and Challenge and win prizes. Find out more at https://manageablepieces.com/summer-2021-eating-local-scavenger-hunt/.
Eating healthy and delicious food can be fun and affordable. Exploring seasonal offerings helps with exploring new foods and your local environment. Knowing where your food comes from and just how delicious it can be, when picked at its peak of freshness, can be life changing. Everyone can have fun learning more about where our food comes from. Eating local is just one way to live a healthy life. My programs help you discover many other ways. Check out the currently available programs and deals on the Programs and Services tab. You can also preview course content and register on my online school dashboard.