Benefits of Community Supported Agriculture

This is by far the number one reason for participating in CSA. Farms give their members the very best of their produce, and many even offer flowers, honey, eggs, and more. Unique varieties are often given to CSA emembers before others, as well as test types of produce that the farmers is thinking of growing for a larger market. In short, CSA members get the best of the best that a farm has to offer.

You never know what might show up in your box. Well, at most farms you have a fairly good idea because they keep you informed. Still, CSAs have a way of getting people to try new things simply because – wham – there it is in your kitchen!

There is nothing like unpacking a weekly CSA box to get in touch with the seasons – and the weather of each particular season – in your area. Many CSA boxes come with newsletters, which often explain field conditions, why the farm is harvesting something early or late (or, sadly, not at all). It's a connection to the land and the seasons that is rare for urban and suburban dwellers, and immensely satisfying.

CSA membership involves some relationship to a farmers or farmers that one often didn't have before. There are few farmers left in the U.S., but they are vital for each and every one of us. Knowing a person and their specific situation can be a real eye-opener, especially if your "relationship to a farmer" has been limited to that of singing "Old MacDonald."

Farms often offer seasonal deals to their CSA members. Boxes of tomatoes to can, a neighbor farmer's grass-fed beef, a chance to get flats of strawberries at the end of the season so they can clear the field.

Many farms hold members-only pick-your-own events for high-demand produce in peak season. In California, strawberry and tomato u-pick events are common. Other parts of the country have apple picking days. Sometimes CSA members are even invited to end-of-the-season post-harvest "gleaning" events where you can pick over a harvested field for any produce left behind. These can be amazing deals, but the real fun is being out in the field and seeing a farm from a farmer's perspective.

U-pick events, barbecues,  pot lucks, farm tours, and more. Different farms handle public events differently, from full-on harvest festivals with bands and dancing to more modest farm tours, but these special events are a great bonus prize of CSA membership.

Assuming you use the produce that comes in the box, most CSA members will save money over a similar amount of quality produce bought at the store or from a farmers market.

What you give up in choice, you definitely gain in convenience. Picking up a box simply takes less time that going to the farmers market or choosing, bagging, and paying for produce at the store.

With a CSA membership you know the plot of land on which the food was grown, which is pretty cool. If eating local and supporting the local food system is important to you, joining a CSA is an easy way to do it.