What is Community Supported Agriculture?
CSA is a trusted relationship between you and a local, family owned farm.
It is a way of sharing the responsibilities, risks, and rewards of a better food system. When you purchase a CSA share, you are providing your farmer with the resources they need to grow your food. In return, your farmer commits to giving you a “share” of their crop, and you receive the highest-quality, sustainably-grown food available, all season long.
How does Community Supported Agriculture work?
It's like a magazine subscription, but for food! First you find a farmer that has that type of share you want. Then you sign up, and make a payment. There are many ways to pay for a share. Traditionally, you pay the full amount at the beginning of the season, when the farmer needs the capitol the most for purchasing seed, supplies, and planning their season. There are other options too: many farmers accept monthly payments via SNAP, or have various payment plans. Ask your farmer! Once the season starts, you get a weekly "share" of their harvest.
CSA is an opportunity to experience food in a new way.
Every week your farmer delivers a variety of fresh, nutritious foods to convenient locations in your neighborhood. You get quality produce at the peak of its season, and varieties of vegetables not available in stores. Farmers provide tips and recipes to help you prepare new seasonal dishes. Your CSA foods are more than just groceries — they’re an experience.
CSA benefits your local economy, community, and environment.
When you keep your food dollars in the local food system, you eliminate the middlemen, and the farmers get 100% of the cost of your share. In turn, they invest this money in preserving our region's precious topsoil, using sustainable practices such as cover cropping, carbon sequestration, and rotational grazing.
CSA food is the freshest, healthiest food you can get.
Not only are varieties chosen specifically for our maritime climate, they are allowed to ripen fully before harvest, so all their micronutrients and natural sugars are given time to develop. CSA food is quite literally the tastiest, healthiest and nutritious food available.
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Chose type of CSA
Consider which type of CSA is right for your household (see the CSA Glossary below).
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Contact Farm
Contact the farm directly to sign up! Have questions? You can email, call or visit CSA farms. You can also ask to speak with existing CSA members to get a sense of what their experiences have been. Farms are busy places. Always contact a farm first before visiting.
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Subscribe!
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Joining a CSA is easy!
Here are the steps