What is a CSA?

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. A farmer offers a certain number of “shares” to the public that consists of a box of fresh farm produce along with other farm products. Some CSAs also offer plants, flowers and processed goods. Consumers purchase a share similar to a subscription and in return receive a box of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season.

Why join an Organic CSA?

This partnership creates a win, win scenario for both organic farmer and organic consumer. Organic farmers typically start CSAs for two reasons:

1. To receive payment early in the season, which helps with the farm’s cash flow and farm planning process.
2. This partnership also allows organic farmers to get to know their customers.

For consumers the benefits to joining an organic CSA are many. Here are some of our top picks:

1. Shareholders will get the freshest cleanest food picked just for them.
2. Organic is the most heavily regulated food system in the U.S.
3. While all CSAs are great, only organic guarantees no toxic persistent pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or GMOs are used in production, and no antibiotics or growth hormones are given to livestock.
4. Consumers will get exposed to new organic vegetables and often times CSAs will include recipes with unique crops.
5. Consumers will be supporting an organic farm in their own community, which benefits the environment and our food future.
6. Recent studies have found that organic fruits, vegetables and grains have more antioxidants, fewer nitrates and cadmium and fewer pesticide residues than non-organic crops, making them more nutritious.
7. Knowing your organic farmer is an excellent way to avoid GMOs. GMOs are prohibited from the production and processing of organic foods.
8. How and where your food is grown, stored, transported, processed, and cooked, influences your health and the health of our environment. According to the NRDC: “Imports by airplane have a substantial impact on global warming pollution. In 2005, the import of fruits, nuts, and vegetables into California by airplane released more than 70,000 tons of CO2, which is equivalent to more than 12,000 cars on the road.”

So now that you know all about organic CSAs, we invite you to join in the fun with these easy 5-steps!

Organic CSA Challenge.

Step 1

Locate an organic CSA to join in your area. Use these tools to locate your local organic farmer and those offering a CSA program.

• Local Harvest
• Organic Farmer Finder

Step 2

Join an organic CSA by yourself or go in on a share with a friend.

Step 3

Take a photo with your local organic farmer and share it with us on social media. You can post directly on our Facebook page or hashtag your photos #OrganicCSA on Twitter or Instagram.

Step 4

Take a photo of your first organic CSA box and share with us on social media. You can post directly on our Facebook page or hashtag your photos #OrganicCSA on Twitter or Instagram. 

Step 5

Take a photo of a recipe you made using the organic CSA share ingredients. You can post directly on our Facebook page or hashtag your photos #OrganicCSA on Twitter or Instagram.

So are you up for the Organic CSA Challenge?

For those challenge takers we have some excellent prizes from these supporting organic brands:

 

 

 

 

All you have to do to be entered to win these prizes is simply take the steps listed above!