Over the past year, I’ve heard more and more about CSAs. I think they are a fabulous idea. Let me explain…
A CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is when a farmer (or group of farmers) offers a certain number of “shares” to the public. The share consists of a box of freshly grown vegetables and fruits, but other farm products may be included, like eggs or honey, etc. Interested consumers purchase a share (like signing up for a membership) and in return receive a box of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season.
I’ve been wanting to participate in a CSA for a long time, and using this fabulous website, LOCAL HARVEST found a couple in my area.
I contacted New Moon Rising, which was listed as a CSA in my area. They have 25 shares that they dish out and 2 ‘sessions’ you can sign up for. The first is May-July, and the second is August-October. It costs $240 for each 12 week session, making the cost $20/week.
Since I have never done a CSA before, I emailed Suzanne and asked her what I could expect in a weekly basket. She promptly responded, which I appreciated. She said she couldn’t tell me exactly what would be in each box, but…
Last year, a typical weeks box in summer might contain 2-3 lbs heirloom tomatoes (that was generally 4-5), 6 ears of corn, 1 lb of green beans, assorted herbs, 2 bell peppers, several sweet nonbell peppers, hot chilis (those only went to people who wanted them), fresh dug potatoes, 2-3 squash or zuchinni, 1 cantaloupe, 4-6 cukes, eggplant (if available). In season, we additionally had blueberries, blackberries or peaches.
WOW! All that, fresh & local, for only $20 a week? I told her my check was in the mail (and it is).
Here’s why I am so excited to finally be able to participate in a CSA:
- Eating fresh picked vegetables that didn’t travel days in a truck to get here- more nutrients!
- Supporting local farmers. This is something I feel strongly about.
- Trying new foods. I’ve never cooked an eggplant, but if one shows up in my CSA box, I’ll be excited to venture out and try a new recipe with my new vegetable.
- Learning more about how my food is grown. I like the idea of talking to the farmer directly and letting them tell me about what they used (and didn’t use) to grow the food.
I really can’t explain how giddy I am to pick up my first box of the season!
What do you think of CSAs?
Have you been a member of one before? Why or why not?
Jess Matahias says
Brit! This is AWESOME!! Love love love fresh produce and basically being able to have a box of fresh produce each week is amazing. I’ll be looking into this for sure. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Kristin says
Thanks for the link! I”ve heard about these, but haven’t really looked into them – turns out, there are several right near me that I’ll be investigating now!
Paj says
I can’t recommend CSAs enough. So much fresh, local produce and the community aspect is really wonderful! The only drawback is that you never know what the season will hold because of weather, etc.
I not only belong to a CSA, but I volunteer at mine for a few hours a week for a free share. Just something some of your readers might want to ask about because most CSAs are run by small family farms that can always use extra help. And ours runs year round, outside in the nice weather and in a greenhouse during the winter.
Susan Kennedy says
This sounds so cool … I may have to jump on this wagon and look into this … great article 🙂
Caree @ Fit-Mama says
I am not sure there is one around me?!! I will have to look into it.But how nice would that be though! I would totally support it!
Rachel (Olalliberry) says
I’ve heard some great things about CSAs, I think it’s awesome that you are joining one! There is a CSA here that actually delivers to my office building because there are several members who work here. I don’t think it could get more convenient! I’m thinking about joining…
Carly says
I’ve been debating doing a CSA this Spring. I’m debating it because I recently moved DT and walking to the Farmer’s Market on Saturday’s is one of my favorite things in the world. We shall see!
Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks says
I love my CSA. What is awesome is that they don’t require a subscription. As I am only one person, I don’t want a box every week, so buying a season’s worth wouldn’t make sense for me. I buy a box for $33 every other week and it works out perfectly.
And I love trying new things! Kohlrabi, Romanesca, and Fennel were all things I had never had before trying out a CSA.
Nicole, RD says
I don’t think there’s a CSA near me, but I am going to google just to be sure! I won’t have a large garden this year like I have in the past (smaller property), so this is the perfect time to look into this!
alex says
how exciting!! If i enjoyed that many veggies I would so want to do that! Make sure you take pics of your packages!!! I’d love to see how good they look!
Sonya says
I love this idea and its available year around here in sunny CA!!! My parents participated in a CSA when I lived at home…I don’t know why I never thought about doing it for us…
Sarah for Real says
Interesting timing on this post as I pick up my first CSA box this afternoon! I think it’s important to find the right CSA because as they become somewhat “trendy,” the category is getting infiltrated by impostors. My advice is to look for one like what you have that is truly local and read the fine print (so you know the cancellation policy). Many CSA’s will focus on organics over local produce, so be sure you know what you’re paying for. Some do both!
The one I joined is a bigger company and I actually have to change the contents in my box weekly (which they make easy to do) to focus on local instead of straight up organic. It’s the dead of winter though, so I’m cutting them some slack until spring time 🙂
Shawnee says
I really want to do this as well. Being in Oregon, there are so many great options. I haven’t done it yet because I don’t have $$ on the front in. When my husband gets secure in a career, I am going to seriously consider it, however.
Roz says
That is so great!!! I am going to think about participating in the fall. I like going to summer farmer’s markets for fresh local fruit and veg in the summer too much – and we’re a family of two so we could only eat SO much produce.
Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good says
I agree with everything you’ve said. We just signed up for our third season with our CSA, and we have absolutely loved it!
One of my very first blog posts was about our CSA experience. It has been a catalyst to some other changes in our food choices. We not only have benefited from the food itself; we have been educated by our farmer on many issues via the CSA newsletter. I just can’t say enough about the experience.
Oh, and for anyone afraid of taking on too much produce, I know ours offers a variety of plans, and some people split shares with another family. I bet many farms offer some flexibility.
Corey @ the Runner's Cookie says
Love the idea! Definitely want to try it this year!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
I REALLY want to join one this year…I have been nervous about not being able to eat all of the produce, though. I know for the amount of veggies and fruit I typically consume, that’s probably not really an issue, and it would force me to get creative, perhaps, with some new ingredients. I’ve also considered finding another single friend to “share my share” with. 🙂
Cristen says
I love this! Thanks so much for sharing. I had never heard of it before but am totally interested in learning more.
Melissa says
This is an awesome concept! I looked for some near me, but they don’t deliver. There are pick up points, but not close enough for me. I will look into it some more though.
Suzanne says
A really good resource to locate CSAs in your area is LocalHarvest.org
You can just click on “CSA”, plug in your zip code and anyone in your area who has listed with LH will show up (and there are many). You can even purchase some CSA memberships via their website.