Ins and Outs of a CSA

If you are a farmers’ market regular, you’ve likely heard the term “CSA” before. Today we will be delving into what a CSA is, and how it benefits both shoppers and farmers alike.

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, and it often refers to a program offered by a particular business or farm. The premise is that customers are given the opportunity to pre-purchase goods and receive them regularly over a defined period of time. The amount of goods you receive is commonly referred to as a “share.” Each farm or business will tell you about how many people a share can feed each week. The time period can vary program to program, but common CSAs will run through the summer or through the winter. Customers pick up their goods from a designated location once a week, receiving a mix of what is available.

As a shopper, a CSA is an investment in your at-home meals. A CSA from your favorite farm or rancher could mitigate your needs for weekly shopping trips. The variety of products in a CSA can lead to fun and unexpected activities for your family, trying new items and recipes to match what you received. When I purchased a CSA many years ago, I had never used mustard greens until I received them in my weekly box. My roommate had never tried turnips. We discovered these ingredients together, through our CSA. Meal planning changes from rote to riveting when you never know what you’ll be working with next.

Any discussion of a CSA must include an acknowledgement of the cost. A CSA is a pre-paid program, meaning you pay up front for your season of product. Pricing varies farm to farm and depends on what size of share you want to purchase. This initial investment can range from $300 - $800. Meat CSAs are often more expensive than produce CSAs, for example. While this cost may appear daunting, it often results in a significant savings for the household. Buying your groceries week to week means pricing can alter. (We have all seen that happen this year!) CSA programs often offer a discount for their members off their typical prices, even before accounting for possibility of market changes. While choosing to participate in a CSA may be a large initial commitment, it often pays off by the end of the season.

For farmers, CSAs can be vital. The pre-purchasing of product provides small businesses with much needed cash reserves. These funds can be used to purchase supplies, keep employees on through the winter months, repair equipment, or prepare for the next season. By participating in a CSA, you are showing your support for that small business. You are using your funds to invest in their future, and expressing your desire that they stay open, that they continue to produce, and that they thrive.

At Hillsdale Farmers’ Market, we have many vendors offering winter CSAs. Sun Gold Farm, Golden Age Kombucha, and Forêt truffles are just a few. While you shop this weekend, stop and ask your favorite vendors if they offer a CSA option. Showing your support at the turn of the seasons means so much to these farmers, bakers, ranchers, foragers, brewers, and fisher folk.