7 Reasons to Join a CSA
What’s a CSA? How will joining one change your cooking, your diet and the world?
Before the start of every summer I eagerly look forward to the first week I can pick up my CSA (otherwise known as “farmshare”). At Greenview Farm in southern Rhode Island, each week I look forward to a collection of veggies, herbs, and even fruit sometimes.
The farm is right down the street from my parents’ house and for years, I begged them to get a farm share (and they never did). Well when I finally moved back to my hometown a few years back, I decided to take matters into my own hands and join their CSA.
I love Greenview Farm because everything they grow is 100% certified organic, they have a huge selection of vegetables, fruits and herbs, and they even offer a flower share. Clipping my own flowers each week at the farm in the middle of summer is a truly relaxing experience, and it’s really lovely to have fresh flowers in the house- or to make cool flower arrangements for friends.
If you’ve never joined a CSA program, now is a great time. But first, what is a CSA?
CSA: Community Supported Agriculture
Community supported agriculture is kind of like a farming co-op. You pay to join a farm’s CSA group and in turn are guaranteed a share of the farm’s seasonal produce, usually on a weekly basis. Depending on what farm you go with, you might end up paying (much) less for your fruits and veggies than you would if you just kept shopping at the supermarket. And it’s definitely a better deal than buying all your veggies at the farmer’s market (at least where I live in Rhode Island). I’m always amazed by the amount and variety of produce I haul home each week from Greenview.
There’s some variations to this model, of course, and depending where you live, you might have a few options. For example, some farm CSAs provide a pre-set box of produce, other farms let you choose what you want, buffet-style. Sometimes, two or more farms might join together to create a joint CSA program that allows them to pool resources and provide members more variety of produce.
Some CSA programs offer only vegetables, while others might offer a mix of fruits and vegetables, flowers, or the offer to purchase eggs, meat or dairy. But the basic idea is always the same: you prepay at and get the freshest produce available, on a regular basis throughout the growing season.
If you’re still not 100% convinced, here’s a few more reasons why you should join a CSA this year.
7 Reasons Why You Should Join a CSA Today
#1. You’ll have a steady supply of the most fresh, ripe produce
Normally when you join a CSA, the veggies you get on pick-up day are harvested only a few hours earlier, at their peak ripeness. Whether it’s vine-ripe tomatoes, crisp lettuce, or sweet broccoli, your veggies will taste better than those at the grocery store, and they’ll even have a higher nutrient content. In sum, you’re going to have tastier and healthier meals without even trying.
#2. You’ll learn about new fruits and veggies
Most farms will grow the standards you’re expecting- lettuce, tomatoes, onions, carrots etc. But they’ll also probably grow some vegetables you haven’t tried yet (unless, of course, you’re already a super adventurous eater, and in which case, you don’t need further convincing!). Whether it’s a purply black tomato, a new type of leafy green, striped beets, or rainbow carrots, you’ll get to know some new vegetables for sure.
#3. You’ll become a better cook
Time to exercise those improv cooking muscles! Faced with fruits, veggies, and herbs that are new to you- or that you just weren’t expecting that particular week- you’ll be forced to become a little more adventurous and skilled int he kitchen- and your tummy (and family and friends!) will thank you for it. Break out Pinterest, break out that new cookbook that’s been collecting dust, and get ready to experience new flavors.
#4. You’ll save money
If you normally hit the farmer’s market every Saturday, with a farm share you are bound to save money. The discount will vary depending on what week it is and even where you live, but generally speaking, you will get a better deal than if you went a la carte at the farmer’s market or in the organic section of your grocery store. (Note: regular, non-organic, not fresh produce from your grocery store will probably still be cheaper, but if you care about having fresh food that’s not covered in chemicals, a CSA is definitely the way to go).
#5. You’ll build community
You’ll usually get to visit the farm at least once (or every week, depending on the farm) and have the opportunity to build a relationship with your farmer(s) and with other, like-minded CSA members.
#6. You’ll support local farmers
Operating a successful, small farm is not easy, but CSA helps a ton. CSA shares provide farmers with a guaranteed customer base and pre-season capital injection so that they can accurately plan how much to grow each season and purchase the resources to make it happen. Think about it: the timeline from seed to harvest for a tomato plant in Rhode Island is more than 3 months! To predict how many tomatoes to grow, and how much land, soil and other resources to dedicate to those plants, a farmer has to have some idea of how many tomatoes he or she is likely to sell. CSAs allow farmers to plan effectively, and it also provides them a more stable income.
#7. You’ll help strengthen your local food system
When your local farmers are successful, that means a steady supply of food for your community (your town, state and even region), a local source of produce for restaurants and even schools, and an overall healthier society.
Now, I know what you’re thinking…
Where can I sign up?
To find a farm near you with a CSA program, the easiest thing is to use your little friend “Google.” Some farms fill up really early- like in the middle of winter or even at the end of the previous summer. But there’s bound to be some farms that still have spaces so the best thing to do is call/email around!
