Our industrialized food chain has
gained a lot of attention over the last several years and locally grown food is
gaining more popularity. The average
piece of food travels over 1,500 miles by the time it reaches our plates. For each dollar we spend at the grocery
store, the average farmer only keeps 9 cents of it. Grocery stores and other middle man get the
remaining 91 cents. Industrialized
farms employee on average three full time people for each $1 million in revenue
it produces. On the other hand, local
farms employ 13 people per $1 million in generated revenues.
These are some of the factors
that have elevated Community Sourced Agriculture (CSA) programs to new
highs. Consumers are able to meet and
get to know the farmers that grow their food and also support local programs
which in turn support local economies.
So what exactly is a CSA and what
are its benefits?
A CSA connects you with a local
farmer who supplies you with a box of fresh produce on a fixed schedule (i.e.
weekly). Depending upon where you live,
a CSA program can last as long as 6 months. By signing up for a CSA program, you essentially are buying a share of
the farmer’s harvest. There are many
benefits to CSAs not only for the farmer but also for the consumer. Many
people have commented that joining CSAs have given them the opportunities to
try produce that they may not have typically purchase in a store. If you love to cook, getting a fresh box of
produce can spur creativity in the kitchen.
In fact, some CSAs put on classes or provide recipes in their boxes.
Some CSA members find themselves
feeling guilty if they don’t consume their entire box. A good
way to get past this is to donate the excess food to local food banks or even take the
excess goods to your local animal shelter.
Horses, guinea pigs and even chickens enjoy some good fruits and
vegetables too. Additionally, many
fruits and vegetables are able to be canned or frozen for future
consumption (and dehydrated for delicious chewy dog treats).
A share in a CSA averages about
$200 to $600 at the beginning of the growing season. Although the upside here is that you won’t
have to pay again for fresh produce, there is a slight risk that you may be out
the money if the farmer is unable to deliver due to unforeseen circumstances (such as damaging weather conditions). Lots of people feel this investment is worthy as they’re given the
opportunity to support local, living economies and know exactly how and where
their food is being sourced.
A new emerging trend in CSAs is
also to provide artisan foods or meats in their boxes. Many farmers themselves make cheese or artisan crafts
that they sell in combination with each box.
They also partner with local butchers and other farmers to provide meats for purchase when boxes are picked up (think: one stop shopping).
Why should you join a CSA?
I’ve touched on this a bit
earlier but by joining a CSA you’ll be supporting your local economy. As most CSAs require you pay at the
beginning of the season, you’re essentially supporting your farmer by giving
him/her the funds needed to successfully navigate through the season. Farmers
are already working with a strapped bottom line and the loyalty you'll see from them for this advance will pay itself back in dividends. The shared risk also creates a sense of community
and a rally for support for your farmer can prevail if times get tough. Your CSA share will also will
also get the freshest seasonal eats.
Because you’re picking up food that’s grown locally, you know it hasn’t
been frozen and trucked thousands of miles.
Some CSAs also ask that you help
out at the farm from time to time. This
gets you moving and supporting your local economy with things other than just
money. It’s also a great chance to connect with local
citizens and share in one another’s values.
CSAs share a lot of benefits and
I hope you consider joining one soon!
Resources:
for finding a CSA www.localhavest.org
for canning tips www.nchfp.uga.edu
for endless recipes www.foodnetwork.com
Your title really grabbed me in. I have definitely experienced that sense of guilt from not finishing a CSA delivery. However, this was a great reminder of the many ways one can repurpose or pass on the delicious wealth. It's so true that a CSA is more than an investment in your family's health. It's an investment in the community and the kind of future you want to live in. Thank you for this entertaining reminder that I better sign up for a CSA ASAP!
ReplyDeleteWe first subscribed to a CSA a couple years ago, and have really enjoyed it. We get fresh produce year-round and have had the opportunity to try so many vegetables and fruits that we wouldn't typically buy from the store. I love getting creative with new foods--we recently started turning all of our unused greens into pesto...now it's our new staple food. We made one with spinach, arugula and cilantro recently :)
ReplyDeleteI especially like the connection that our CSA has to the community; the farm was developed in an underserved community to bring fresh food and teach farming techniques, and they offer great classes. During the summer they deliver our box by bicycle. I do have to admit that I have been tempted to subscribe to a larger CSA for more options and convenience but so far have stayed with the one in town because of their values and close proximity.
Great info. about CSA's! I've been wanting to join one for a while now, and I really should. Getting surprises in the mail can be great and I would love to get fruits and veggies that I wouldn't normally buy at the market. Pretty clever to add artisan goods and cheese to the mix, too. And I love that you cited foodnetwork.com! Have you always received your CSA box from the same farm? Thanks for being such a supporter of the local economy, Emily!
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