If you've been engaged in the local food world, it's likely you have heard of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. This approach to small scale agriculture is one that is relatively new to North America, with the current model being fairly similar across farms that operate with it, with some slight variations. At their core, CSA programs provide a direct link between eater and farmer, creating a mutually beneficial relationship and reliance that offers security and partnership between the two. In this article, we will explore what CSA programs are, why they are beneficial for both the farmer and the eater, and some thoughts on how to choose a program to become a member of.
A Brief Overview of CSA History
There are a few contradicting stories of how CSA programs began in North America, but also some accepted facts. The beginnings of CSA programs began on small European farms post WW2, inspired by biodynamic farming and Rudolf Steiner's ideas of "producer-consumer association", in which the producer (farmer) and consumer (eater) are linked by mutual interests that give rise to a mutually supportive and reliant relationship. Another key idea in the development of CSA programs was the philosophy of E.F. Schumaker and his idea of an "economy where you produce locally what is consumed locally". Very common sense ideas, but directly at odds with the growing industrialized agriculture that began to boom after the second world war. In North America, the first CSA farms took shape in the mid 1980's, with the models they laid out being adopted and built upon by many small farms in the following decades. The essential principles laid out by the first CSA programs were the ideas of transparent cost of production that gave a price on goods that was both fair to the growers and the consumers, and giving the consumers a direct tie to the farmland on which their food was to be grown, a sort of "ownership" in the season. The Rodale Institute has an excellent in depth article on the history of CSA development in North America. You can read it here.
Why CSA Programs are Beneficial
Community Supported Agriculture programs are just one of many ways that farmers and eaters are engaging in creating strong local economies. While not limited to vegetable farms, the contemporary CSA program is often offered by market gardeners and small scale vegetable farms, though there are many exceptions to that. The model and benefits are largely the same, regardless of the product offered.
In most CSA programs, farmers will lay out a set number of "boxes" or "shares", each with a given value. The customer signs up for their chosen number of shares, usually, 7 to 20 weeks of produce spread across the growing season. Usually, the customer is asked to pay upfront when they sign up, often in late winter or spring. This upfront payment gives the farmer much needed revenue at a time of year when there can be limited income for them. This revenue can be essential for seed, wages, equipment, and countless other costs associated with farming. The purchase of that share is a bit of a two-way pledge, with the customer saying "I value the work you do and the food you grow, and I trust you to provide food to me", and the farmer saying "I acknowledge your trust and support, and I will grow some excellent food for you!"
In this way, CSA programs give the customer a sense of stock in the farm, with direct interest in their success and challenges. With payment for the season done upfront, the customer is also protected from fluctuating costs that may come from other markets. Given that most farms that offer CSA programs are small, there is often also a personal relationship that forms between grower and eater.
Farms that offer CSA programs tend to grow a diverse range of vegetables or fruit, which offers them a resilience that comes with diversity. If one crop is a failure, they are growing many different ones that can offer a harvest. These farms also tend to be more ecologically friendly. By taking part in a CSA program, the customer gets to decide the type of farming that they want to support.
How to Choose a CSA Program
If there are few farms in your area that offer CSA, then choosing a CSA program can be as simple as figuring out where your nearest farm is. However, if you are in a larger urban area, there can be dozens of options to choose from. We'll lay out some suggestions that may be helpful for choosing which program to join.
Growing Practices
Choose growers whose practices you believe in or are important to you. Most farmers are proud of how they produce food and are happy to answer questions you may have about how they grow. Is certified organic important to you? Or are you ok with knowing someone grows with organic practices but is uncertified? Think about what you value, and choose accordingly.
Frequency and Location of Share
Some CSA programs offer weekly and biweekly options, as well as multiple sizes of shares. CSA shares are often dropped off a decided location and date, as well as often at farmer's markets that farmer vends at. Usually that is laid out before signup, but ask the farmer if it isn't. Consider what is ideal for you and your schedule. Choose accordingly.
Other Factors
If there are multiple farms that meet your criteria, you may just have to choose one based on more arbitrary reasons, like the personality of the farmer, or supporting a smaller, younger farm vs a larger and established one. Check out the farmer's markets the farms attend, and purchase some produce from each of them to compare, or see what they have on offer and if there are vegetables you would prefer over others.There is a woman I know who is a member of two different CSA programs, simply because she wants to support both farmers and can use that many vegetables to feed herself and her family. It's a very personal decision, and remember, supporting local food is never the wrong choice! We are all allies in good food!
By supporting a farm by joining their CSA program, you are tying yourself directly into the local food system, empowering farmers to grow good food, and strengthening the community ties between growers and eaters.