Community-Supported Agriculture: What is it?

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

By Dr. JJ Pursell

Nature Cures Clinic physician

Over the last 20 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer.  Community Supported Agriculture consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community’s farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production. Typically, members or “share-holders” of the farm or garden pledge in advance to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation and farmer’s salary. In return, they receive shares in the farm’s bounty throughout the growing season, typically a big beautiful box of fresh seasonal harvest to take home and enjoy.

Some Advantages for consumers:

• Eat ultra-fresh food, with all the flavor and vitamin benefits
• Get exposed to new vegetables and new ways of cooking
• Find that kids typically favor food from “their” farm – even veggies they’ve never been known to eat
• Develop a relationship with the farmer who grows their food and learn more about how food is grown

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Tags: CSA, fruits and vegetables, gardening
Posted in Articles by our Doctors, Dr JJ PursellXX, Dr. Hilary Costello | Comments Off