What if, instead of getting a news magazine every week, you got a big box of produce from a farmer down the road, a box of fruits and vegetables picked that very morning, bursting with flavor and nutrition? That's what you get when you subscribe to a CSA. To find out more about how a CSA is all about community, health, ecology, families learning, and the seasons, please keep reading!
What is a CSA
A CSA is also known as "subscription farming." You buy a subscription from a local farmer just like you buy a subscription to Time or Newsweek. But instead of receiving a magazine each week, bi-weekly, or monthly, you receive a "share" of fresh, locally grown or raised fruit and/or vegetables. Some farmers also offer CSA subscriptions for farm-fresh eggs, and/or meats.
While new in name, Community Supported Agriculture hearkens back to an earlier time -when people knew where their food came from, ate in harmony with the seasons, and enjoyed a delicious, healthy diet of pure, fresh foods.
CSA is about Community and Ecology
CSA subscribers don't so much "buy" food from particular farms as become "members" of those farms. CSAs provide more than just food, they offer ways for eaters to become involved in the ecological and human community that supports the farm. The Earth is a living Being and the actions of every individual have an effect on the whole. The soil is the basis of all human life and the quality of its care and health affect not only the people who eat the food today, but also those who will depend on the soil in the future. Even though less than 1% of our population is engaged in farming, the proper tending of the environment is the concern and responsibility of every individual. It is in the consumer's interest that farmers are supported so that they can grow the highest quality, most nutritious food while preserving the highest environmental quality and soil health.
CSA is about Health
Healthy soil means healthy food. When no herbicides, pesticides, or artificial fertilizers are used, ground water pollution and toxic residues on food are avoided. CSA gives consumers the chance to choose how their food is grown. Eating locally grown, freshly harvested food is the basis of a healthy diet and is recommended by health-care professionals. CSA offers the opportunity for you to reconnect with rhythms of nature by eating produce when it is in season. People who join CSAs find a meaningful way to reunite with the Earth and a community and discover a kind of spiritual nourishment which they have been missing.
CSA is about Seasons
"In season" is what CSAs are all about. The grocery store knows no seasons. It is disconnected from Nature. Sure, you can buy tomatoes in January-but who wants to eat cardboard tomatoes? That sorry tomato was picked green 2000 miles away and weeks ago, then blasted with ethylene gas to make it turn red just before it landed in the produce section of your store. What we have gained in convenience, we have lost in flavor, freshness, nutritional value, and human connection-to each other and to the land.
Changing your diet to eat with the seasons is something that happens naturally when a larger portion of your food begins to come from a garden
CSA is about Families and Fun
Families with children are welcome at CSA gardens. A number of CSAs host local school groups for nature study or art classes in the garden. CSAs are about strengthening a sense of community. Most CSAs have a newsletter to let people know what's going on in the garden, share recipes, and announce things of common interest or concern and social events.
CSA is about Learning
CSAs also act as training centers for young people who wish to learn the skills of farming and management of CSA operations. These "hands-on" trainings are called "apprenticeships." In addition, CSA members often volunteer their time to work in the garden so that they may informally learn about horticulture or other gardening skills.
*Excerpts above from www.illinoisfarmdirect.org and www.biodynamics.com
More Information
Books about CSAs:
Farms of Tomorrow Revisted: Community Supported Farms – Farm Supported Communities by Trauger Groh and Steven McFadden
Sharing the Harvest: A Citizen’s Guide to Community Supported Agriculture by Elizabeth Henderson
Films:
The film, The Real Dirt on Farmer John, documents the resurrection of a family farm through its conversion to a CSA model.
Looking for recipes to enjoy some of these fresh and occasional unfamiliar vegetables?
www.eatwell.com
Resources
www.biodynamics.com
www.fullbellyfarm.com
www.marinsunfarms.com
www.greenlivingtips.com
Post by Cleary Vaughan-Lee
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