Why I joined a CSA (and why you should consider it, too!)
A win-win for you and your local community
This year has been a pretty crazy one to say the least. With the recent circumstances impacting local businesses and our communities at large, I’ve been looking for ways to get involved and give back while also staying safe and healthy.
For years, I’ve visited Farmer’s Markets on weekends; it’s one of my absolute favorite things to do (and is something I’m really looking forward to when things go back to normal!). During these trips, I kept hearing about CSAs — Community-Supported Agriculture — and was curious to get involved.
I missed the spring sign-up last year, but when my manager was out of town for her weekly CSA pick-up, she graciously offered me her share. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a team from the farm who showed me all of their fresh, seasonal produce. I had so much fun talking with them and meeting the other CSA members while making my selections. When I got home, I spread my share all over the counter and sent her a video of gratitude. One trip was all it took; I was hooked! I’m now a member of the Oxen Hill Farm CSA this upcoming season.
If you too are thinking about ways to give back to your community while also supporting your health during these times of need, consider signing up for a CSA. Here’s all you need to know to get started:
WHAT IS COMMUNITY-SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE?
Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is a food production and distribution system that directly connects farmers and consumers. People buy "shares" of a farm’s harvest in advance and receive a portion of the crops as they're harvested throughout the year.
Most CSAs require an annual, quarterly or seasonal buy-in prior to the season and in turn, provide scheduled pick-up or delivery options upon harvest. The type of produce varies on the season and geography, but typically includes vegetables, fruits, squashes and herbs. Some larger CSAs offer flowers, eggs, honey, meats, pickles, jams or other preserves they've made during the peak of harvest. Most programs offer different pricing options based on the size of the share (small; feeding 1-2 people, medium; feeding 2-4 people, or large; feeding 4+ people) and frequency (weekly, bi-weekly or as agreed upon).
WHY SHOULD I JOIN A CSA?
There are so many benefits for you + your family, the farm + local community and the environment at large when you join a CSA:
Benefits for You + Your Family
Access to fresh, local produce: CSA produce is ultra fresh, locally harvested and often organic and/or chemical free (inquire with the farm before signing up). The produce spends zero time in a warehouse, in transit, or on a shelf waiting to be stocked; therefore, the quality, nutrition and taste is unmatched. It’s a wonderful way to provide yourself and your family with high quality, nutritious food. And when you develop a deeper appreciation for real food — no processing, no hormones, no antibiotics and no harmful chemicals — you’ll naturally make better food choices and have better health outcomes.
Save money (yes, really!): Because the middle-man is eliminated, you get super high-quality produce at an amazing price. Most CSA members will actually save money over a similar amount of quality produce bought at the supermarket. Pricing generally starts around $15 per share and can range up to $40-50. For an upfront investment of $200-$800+ (depending on the size, variety and frequency of your share), CSA members can save several hundred dollars versus big food retailers.
Fun, family-friendly experience: Once you make that first pick-up, I promise you will look forward to them all season long. Bring your kids or family members and make it a fun, hands-on experience. You never know exactly what you’ll go home with, which gives you the opportunity to experiment with new ingredients and recipes. It’s a great way to teach kids about cooking, food quality, nutrition and the environment.
Access to special pick-ups or events: Many CSAs offer special, off-cycle pick-ups with access to products such as cheeses and unique produce with narrow harvest windows. Many also host events, barbecues, pot lucks, cooking demonstrations and farm-to-table dinners exclusively for CSA members (such a fun perk!)
Increased sense of community: Getting to know your local farmers, other CSA members and where your food is coming from will expand your network, make you feel more deeply connected to your local community, and may inspire you to spark local change in other areas.
Benefits for the Farmer + Local Community:
Support the local economy: Small farms have limited access to government subsidies or assistance, and at the same time, do not benefit from economies of scale. As a result, they have a huge up-front investment with very small profit margins. CSAs provide farmer with predictable cash flow to ensure they have sufficient funds to harvest (including seed, supply and labor costs). Also, by eliminating the middle-man, more profit ends up in the grower’s pocket. They can use these funds to reinvest back into the farm and in the local economy.
Less waste: When farmers know their market before the season, they can plan the use of their resources more efficiently, which means less waste of food, water and energy. This also allows them to invest in higher-quality seeds and unique varieties of produce; benefiting both the consumer and the diversity of land use.
Preserves local farmland: The United States lost more than 100,000 farms between 2011 and 2018; 12,000 of those between 2017 and 2018 alone. The best way to ensure that local farms stay in business, and preserve that beautiful land against construction, is to support them!
Benefits for the Environment at Large
Environmental-friendly: Farmland all over the world is being bought by corporations for development and/or conventional farming. It has hugely damaging effect to our global environment; impacting soil, water and air quality. In Mark Hyman’s book Food Fix, he notes that due to industrial mono-crop farming, the United Nations estimates we have only 60 years of harvests left. Let that sink in. Supporting local farms with sustainable farming practices can help reverse those trends (more on that below).
Decreases pollution: Local farming typically uses no or less pesticides and fertilizers, and produces less CO2 emissions from transport and refrigeration. While this is great for the environment in and of itself, regenerative practices can actually balance nitrogen, phosphorous, and methane levels. This means that the soil can remain productive for generations to come and actually improve the quality of the soil and surrounding environment over time.
Humane treatment of animals: The practices used to raise chickens, cows and other animals on small farms is night-and-day from the brutal conventional farming tactics used by many in the BigFarm industry. Local farms generally provide proper living conditions for their animals with no added antibiotics, hormones or chemicals, which has a positive environmental ripple effect. And this means you can feel good about what you eat!
WHERE CAN I FIND CSAs NEAR ME?
To find CSA programs near you, visit www.localharvest.org/csa/ and search by your location. You can also visit your local farmer’s market or call/stop in to your local farm next time you drive by and inquire. Most CSA programs accept applications through the end of the April (but some through May or early June, depending on the harvest cycle).
If you’re from Connecticut, I joined the Oxen Hill Farm CSA, which has a weekly pick-up in West Hartford Center! If you sign up and pay for your share in full by June 1st, you will receive a $25 member credit towards additional produce during the summer. The first pick up is the third week of June and extends through October. Below is a photo of what I picked up in my trip last year!
If you have any additional questions about CSAs, leave a comment below or email us at healthwellstyled@gmail.com.
