What Is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)?



CSA reflects an innovative and resourceful strategy to connect local farmers with local
consumers; develop a regional food supply and strong local economy; maintain a sense of
community; encourage land stewardship; and honor the knowledge and experience of
growers and producers working with small to medium farms. CSA is a unique model of local
agriculture whose roots reach back 30 years to Japan where a group of women concerned
about the increase in food imports and the corresponding decrease in the farming
population initiated a direct growing and purchasing relationship between their group and
local farms. This arrangement, called "teikei" in Japanese, translates to "putting the
farmers' face on food." This concept traveled to Europe and was adapted to the U.S. and
given the name "Community Supported Agriculture" at Indian Line Farm, Massachusetts, in
1985. As of January 1999, there are over 1000 CSA farms across the US and Canada.

CSA is a partnership of mutual commitment between a farm and a community of supporters
which provides a direct link between the production and consumption of food. Supporters
cover a farm's yearly operating budget by purchasing a share of the season's harvest. CSA
members make a commitment to support the farm throughout the season, and assume the
costs, risks and bounty of growing food along with the farmer or grower. Members help pay
for seeds, fertilizer, water, equipment maintenance, labor, etc. In return, the farm
provides, to the best of its ability, a healthy supply of seasonal fresh produce throughout
the growing season. Becoming a member creates a responsible relationship between people
and the food they eat, the land on which it is grown and those who grow it.

This mutually supportive relationship between local farmers, growers and community
members helps create an economically stable farm operation in which members are assured
the highest quality produce, often at below retail prices. In return, farmers and growers
are guaranteed a reliable market for a diverse selection of crops.