From Farm to Fork – Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

With the success of movies like Super-size Me and Food Inc., it is becoming increasingly clear that people really do care about the quality of their food and where it comes from. Recently, many farms have set up Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs in which customers pay an upfront fee prior to the growing season and in return get a “share” in the farm. A share usually translates into a box of seasonal, locally grown produce every week during the harvest season. Many CSAs offer delivery and most farms also provide lists of what to expect each month in your box. They’re a good way to experience produce that may be foreign to you and are rewarding to the farmers, too. By receiving payment before the growing seasons, farmers can plan budgets in advance and pay for necessities such as seeds and equipment. These programs also have environmental benefit; because local food doesn’t travel far, it reduces carbon dioxide emissions from transportation carriers.