Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a program in which many farms offer
subscriptions. Under this program, subscribers receive a weekly or monthly basket of
locally grown, in-season fruits, vegetables, flowers, eggs, and milk; sometimes other
products like coffee or tea are included as well. Most of the products in the baskets
are products that are produced on the farm, but they don’t have to be.

Under a CSA program, there is a relationship developed between the farm and the member’s
(shareholder’s or subscriber’s – several terms are used). Not all of the farms in the
CSA program are organic farms, although many are. By making a financial commitment to a
farm in a CSA program, people become “members” (or “shareholders,” or “subscribers”) of
the CSA. The membership entitles them to receive produce from the farm on a regular
basis through the growing season.

Usually memberships are paid for annually, but some farmers will accept weekly or
monthly payments, and some CSAs also require that members work a few hours on the farm
each week during the growing season. Regulations and requirements vary from farm to
farm.

The Community Supported Agriculture program is not one that has been well advertised
nationally. You might see some advertisements for locally owned farms that are part of
the program and you will have to determine which farms are organic and which are not.
This is, however, a method that those who want fresh, organically grown fruit and
vegetables that can be purchased locally.

More and more of the farms that are in the Community Supported Agriculture program are
organic farms. There’s still a long way to go, but organic farming is on the increase
along with the demand for organically produced food.