Sometimes, because I've done so much research on it, and participated in one, I forget that other people don't even know about CSAs. Or what they are.
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Basically, it's a system whereby you purchase a "share" of a farm at the beginning of the growing season (usually mid-winter or early spring, or even the year before! Some CSAs fill up really early!). What you're doing is investing in that farm's future. Your share money allows the farmer to purchase seeds and equipment in advance of the farming year.
Then, during the growing season, your CSA entitles you to weekly "share" of the farm produce. Each CSA runs differently. Some farms require a work committment along with the payment. Other farms do not.
We belonged to the Holcomb Farm CSA in Granby, CT for several years. They grow organically, which we love. We would get about 20 weeks of "share pickup." We were given a cloth grocery bag that we could fill up each week with our choice of the farm produce. The Holcomb CSA was especially value-added because they had a huge Pick-Your-Own crop that was in addition to the share bag.
As the season goes on, different kinds of produce are available. In June, there's lots of lettuce greens, radishes, maybe some spring onions... July brings the squash, cucumbers, beets, and more. August is a good month because you have a large variety of produce. September and October bring the squashes, pumpkins...
What's great about a CSA is that you get your food directly from the source. You can often pick what you want for your share (some farms create share boxes where the produce is pre-selected). And you can get to know the farm and their farming practices first hand.
Are there drawbacks to a CSA? Sure - if the farm does not produce well, your produce pick up is reduced - or you might just have less of a selection. Because you're getting only in-season foods, you might eat the same kinds of veggies a few weeks in a row. And of course, you have to drive to your pick up location every week, sometimes at a certain time.
But overall, if you research and find the best value CSA in your area (some farms offer fewer weeks or smaller bags) you can get a really good deal and really great food!
Have you ever belonged to a CSA? Do you have more questions about how they work?
