Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is an innovative and resourceful strategy to connect local farmers with local consumers, develop a local food system, encourage a sense of community, promote land stewardship and social justice, and honor the work, knowledge and experience of farmers.
The CSA concept originated in Japan in the early 1970’s when a group of women, concerned about the increase in food imports and the corresponding decrease in the farming population and produce quality and diversity, initiated a direct relationship between their group and local farms. The concept traveled to Europe and later to the US where it was given the name “Community Supported Agriculture ” at Indian Lane Farm, Massachusetts, in 1985. There are now over 1500 CSAs across the US and Canada.
CSA is a partnership of mutual commitment between a farm and a community of members who pledge their support to the farm operation so that the farmland becomes the community’s farm, with the farmers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production. Typically, members, or “share-holders” of a CSA pledge in advance to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation. Members also share in the risks of farming, including poor harvests due to unfavorable weather, pests or field conditions. In return, they receive in-kind shares in the farm’s wide variety of produce throughout the growing season, as well as satisfaction gained from reconnecting to the land and participating directly in a sound local food system. Through direct sales to community members, who have provided them upfront with working capital, growers receive better prices for their crops, gain some financial security, and are relieved of much of the burden of marketing their products.
CSA fosters responsible relationships among members, the food they eat, the land on which it is grown and those who grow it. This mutually supportive relationship between local farmers and community members helps create an economically stable farm operation in which members are assured the highest quality produce, often below retail prices. In return, farmers are guaranteed a reliable market for a diverse selection of crops.