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• Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, is a method of food production and distribution where members invest in local farms. CSA members provide farmers with a stable income. In return, farmers provide members with a share of the farm's production. CSAs are part of the local food movement.

• Fast Facts

  1. Operate during growing season
  2. History: Developed in Japan and Europe in the 1960s
  3. Most CSAs are organic
  4. May reduce carbon footprint
  5. First CSAs: Indian Line Farm, Massachusetts, and Temple-Wilton Community Farm, New Hampshire
  6. 2008: More than 1,000 CSAs in the United States

• Types of CSAs

  The majority of CSAs sell produce such as fruits and vegetables. There are a number of CSAs that provide animal products such as meat, eggs, dairy and wool.

• Organization

  Members generally pay a lump sum to the CSA at the start of the growing season. Pickup occurs at a centralized location, such as a farm or farmers' market, on a weekly basis. A small but growing number of CSAs offer payment installment plans and delivery services.

• Potential Downsides

  CSA products may cost more than comparable organic products in some retail markets. Additionally, if a farm suffers inclement weather or pest problems, a CSA member may receive fewer items.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  How to Save Money on Food | How to Save Money on Groceries | The Omnivore's Dilemma | Grass-Fed Meat

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