Welcome to the Tucson CSA. One of the greatest pleasures of eating local organic produce comes from knowing that it is grown by farmers who have made conscious choices about cultivating their land in environmentally and socially responsible ways. Produce grown in such ways is usually more flavorful and healthful than industrially-grown produce. Participating in such a mode of food production and consumption also fosters closer relationships among us, the foods we eat and those who grow it.
Unlike a typical CSA which is traditionally initiated by a farm, the Tucson CSA is a community initiative that was started in January 2004 to provide a direct connection between regional producers and local consumers. We started with just 15 members and we have grown slowly but steadily since, to over 500 members.
We welcome all who want to participate in a healthier and more sustainable food system. At the Tucson CSA, you always know where your food comes from, who produces it and how. You know that is naturally grown or humanely raised, with no chemical pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, fertilizers, hormones or antibiotics. And you know that neither people nor the environment are being abused in the course of its production.
In the Southwestern US, farms are often located far from urban centers, making them not easily accessible to consumers. The Tucson CSA acts as an extension of the farm into the city, providing a space where local producers and consumers can connect. We work with a number of local sustainable producers who offer produce, goat cheese, grass-fed meats, eggs, honey and more. We are staffed by volunteers and we work very much like a buying club. We do not sell retail, but only through membership.