What is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)?

A CSA is a way for you to directly support a local farmer/grower and to receive a weekly basket of produce. Some CSAs offer vegetables, fruit, flowers, eggs, poultry and meat. By contributing to a farm, you become a “member” (or “shareholder,” or “subscriber”) of the CSA. Most CSAs prefer that members pay for the season up-front, but some will accept weekly or monthly payments.

Some CSAs also require that members work a small number of hours on the farm during the growing season, and others offer it as an option that can reduce your cost. Many, but not all CSAs grow organic produce. You can read more about the history of CSAs in the U.S.

How do I know the produce that is grown is really organic?

Some growers are certified organic, others are not, but most invite you tour their farms and see for yourself how they grow their produce. You will have to check with each grower.

What if I go on vacation, or have to be out of town on the delivery date?

Most CSAs allow you to make arrangements to have someone else pick it up, or they will donate the excess produce to a food bank.

What are the risks?

Market Gardening and small-scale farming is a risky business and there are no guarantees regarding the quantity and quality of produce harvested each season. Small-scale growers are not covered by government support programs (that typically only provide payments to large scale farmers) in the event of crop loss.

CSA members make a pledge of financial support to the garden or farm for one growing season which allows the farmers to continue growing even when they suffer crop loss due to hail, drought, frost, insects and other natural events.

You also take the “risk” of getting more produce that you will know what to do with. Take this into consideration before you take the plunge and join a CSA. Are you really someone who eats a lot of vegetables, or do you just wish you were that person? Joining a CSA won’t make you that person, so be honest with yourself before you sign up.

What are the rewards?

When you “join” the garden or farm as a non-working member, you make a commitment to treating yourself and your family to a diet centered around fresh, locally (and hopefully organically) grown produce that nourishes the body and spirit. By shifting a portion of your current weekly food purchases from the corporate food system to local, family operated, organic gardens and farms you will be creating powerful change in our community and our world.

CSA is about more than just vegetables.

See our list of CSAs in Colorado Springs