Considering a CSA for your family, but not sure what you get with the commitment? Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, is a great way to buy super-fresh, local produce directly from the farmer that grew it. If you are a family that is seeking high quality and highly nutritious food, often grown without the addition of pesticides or herbicides, then a CSA could be the right choice for you this summer.
Most CSA programs run during the summer months of June - September, during the peak growing season in the Pacific Northwest. Families can sign up directly with the farm for a season, pick their box size, or “share” - usually ranging from a small box perfect for 2-3 people, or a large box which will feed 4-6 people -and pick up their box from the farm or designated location once a week. Most farms grow a wide variety of produce, so your box contents will change each week. Expect lots of leafy greens during the early summer months, moving into a bounty of beans, fruits, berries, herbs, tomatoes, summer squash and much more during the summer, and root vegetables and winter squash as the season winds down. You may get a few new veges you are unfamiliar with, but don’t worry, most farms have a newsletter and will gladly introduce you to the vegetable and give you a few recipes to get started! Many farms have added benefits with their CSAs, such as farm visits to do additional u-pick, festivals and events especially for CSA members, and add-ons like meat and eggs.
So, how much does a CSA cost? Memberships vary from farm to farm, but expect to pay anywhere from $20 - $45 a week depending on the box size you choose. You may think this is a bit high at first, but once you see the quality and quantity of food you receive, the value far exceeds what you pay. If cost is a consideration, and you enjoy getting your hands dirty, ask the farm about a work share. A work share is where you perform a certain number of hours of work for the farm in exchange for your food. Another option is to split a share with a neighbor or friend.
Here is a quick pro and con list to consider:
A CSA would be great for my family if: A CSA may not be a great fit for my family if:
|
You would like a large variety of produce |
You don’t cook a lot |
|
Sustainably raised or organic food is important to you |
You plan to travel or aren’t available each week to pick up your box |
|
You would like to support local farms |
You aren’t ready to commit to a 20 week program |
|
You want the benefits of homegrown food, but don’t have the space for a garden |
You like to be able to pick your food or make a lot of substitutions to your box contents |
Ready to sign up? Visit LocalHarvest.org to find a CSA farm near you. In a quick search, I found over a dozen local farms, big and small, offering a CSA program in our area. Happy eating, Macaroni Families!
