What is a CSA and 8 Reasons to Join One?
Have you heard your friends talking about picking up their CSA and had no clue what they were talking about but nodded along anyway? I know my partner did. There’s no shame in not knowing. Once you discover one, your life will never be the same.
What is a CSA, and how does it work?
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. It is a production model where consumers buy shares of a farm’s harvest in advance. You can join a CSA by becoming a member. Members pay farmers at the beginning of the growth season, either in a lump sum or in installments and then get a variety of weekly (usually organic) produce. This allows farmers to focus on farming instead of marketing.
Each CSA can work a little differently. I’m currently getting my produce from Plenty Wild Farms. Before that, I got my produce from Brooklyn Supported Agriculture. At Plenty Wild, my orders are placed weekly, and I get to choose the quantity and the variety of produce I want. With Brooklyn Supported Agriculture, I got a veggie bag with whatever was in season. The contents of my veg bag changed every week.
How Do I find a CSA?
Finding a CSA is as simple as a Google search. Just type in where you live + CSA, and you should be able to locate one in your area. If you don’t have any luck with Google, you can also try looking on Local Harvest. They have a great directory of CSAs that will connect you with local veggies before you can say Bok Choi.
Now that you know how to find a CSA, let’s discuss why you need one.
1. Convenient
I can’t tell you how convenient joining a CSA is. No more wandering the grocery aisles looking for Tuscan kale. Your veggies will arrive in a bag with your name on it (or if you opt for the zero-waste option, you can bring a reusable bag and collect your veggies from a reusable bin with your name on it).
2. Virtually No Packaging
As I alluded to in my first reason why CSAs are awesome, your produce will usually arrive in a reusable box or bin where you collect your veggies. You don’t have to worry about discarding plastic packaging or Styrofoam containers holding a sad piece of broccoli prisoner.
3. It’s Social
When picking up your CSA order, you run into fellow veggie lovers, allowing you to connect with your community. You get to make friends as you wait in line to get your weekly produce, and you also support a family of farmers in your community who aren’t substantial commercial farms. Trust me, they’ll probably value your purchase way more than Chiquita Banana ever will.
4. It’s (likely) Organic!
If you don’t know the benefits of buying organic, check out my post 5 Reasons to purchase USDA certified Organic products in 2024. Most CSAs are organic; if not, they likely use organic practices but might not be able to afford certification. Check-in with your local farmer and ask what fertilizer they use and if their veg is irradiated. Do your research and communicate with your CSA. There’s sure to be an organic CSA in your area. You might have to ask around, but do opt for organic.
5. It’s Affordable
was surprised to discover that purchasing from a CSA was cheaper than buying organic or high-quality produce from the grocery store. Also, it saved me the cost and the time of recycling unnecessary packaging. I can’t speak to every CSA or grocery store, but I usually save money.
6. Discover New Tastes
CSAs provide an array of local seasonal fruits and veggies. I discovered sunchoke, tatsoi, and celeriac from my CSA, among a dozen other vegetables I had never heard of. I cannot express the joy of cooking and eating these fantastic, nutrient-dense veggies.
7. It’s Local
Shipping food from across the globe has a huge carbon footprint. When it comes to kicking climate change in the butt, eating local is a great way to minimize the harmful impact of shipping. Not only will Mother Earth applaud you, but your tastebuds will sing! Local vegetables are invariably fresher because they do not have to be stored and shipped large distances.
8. Fresh Seasonal Food is the Best
When you join a CSA, you get seasonal food fresh from the field. Produce from major supermarkets is often kept in storage for years. Certified organic food from local farmers doesn’t irradiate crops. This guarantees you won’t be buying a two-year-old apple.
Have these 8 Reasons Convinced you?
You might still be on the fence about joining a CSA, but it is worth it. Eating organic, delicious produce alone is a reason to start looking for a CSA today. If that doesn’t convince you, supporting your local farmer and knowing you’re putting the planet first should be an easy sell!
