It is a method for small-scale commercial farmers and gardeners to have a successful, small-scale closed market. CSA’s focus is usually on a system of weekly delivery or pick-up of vegetables, sometimes also flowers, fruits, herbs and even milk or meat products in some cases. CSA generally is the practice of focusing on the production of high quality foods using ecological, organic or biodynamic farming methods. Some farms are dedicated entirely to CSA, while others also sell through on-farm stands, farmers’ markets, and other channels.
Typically, CSA farms are small, independent, labor-intensive, family farms. By providing a guaranteed market through prepaid annual sales, consumers essentially help finance farming operations. This allows farmers to not only focus on quality growing, it can also somewhat level the playing field in a food market that favors usually large-scale, industrialized agriculture over local food.
Method of distribution is a distinctive feature in CSA. Shares are usually provided weekly, with pick-ups on a designated day and time. CSA subscribers often live in towns and cities – local drop-off locations, convenient to a number of members, are organized, often at the homes of members.
Shares are also usually available on-farm. 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.
Share prices can vary dramatically, depending on location. Variables also include length of share season, average quantity, and selection of food per share. 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. Some CSA programs offer different share sizes, also, a choice of share periods (e.g. full-season and peak season).
If you are looking for a CSA in our community and cannot find one here, visit http://www.localharvest.org/
Information collected from www.answers.com
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