COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE

By Nan Lovell

With the start of a new year comes the opportunity for members of the Vegetarian Society of Colorado to join in one of Colorado’s local Community Supported Agriculture centers. For those of you who are unfamiliar with CSAs and how they benefit our communities, I encourage you to read on and learn what great pleasures await members of local CSAs. 

CSAs involve mutual support and commitment between local farmers and community members who pay the farmer an annual membership fee to cover the production costs of the farm. All CSAs include payment in advance at an agreed upon price. In some, members of the community purchase a "share" of the anticipated harvest, while in others they sign up for a predetermined amount of produce over the course of the season. In most cases, this commitment implies a willingness to share with the farmer both the bounty from the land and at least some of the risks involved with production. 

In return for fair and guaranteed compensation, consumers receive a variety of freshly picked (usually organic) foods harvested at their peak of ripeness, flavor, and vitamin and mineral content. These foods are grown and distributed in an economically viable and ecologically responsible manner during the local growing season. Some farms also offer fruit, herbs, flowers and other products. In this way, farmers and members become partners in the production, distribution and consumption of locally grown food. The arrangement guarantees the farmer financial support and enables many small- to moderate-scale organic family farms to remain in business.
As Wendell Berry points out, "how we eat determines to a considerable extent how the world is used." With this in mind, it is important to remember that the goals of CSA support a sustainable agriculture system which . . . 

* provides farmers with direct outlets for farm products and ensures fair compensation

* encourages proper land stewardship by supporting farmers in transition toward low or no chemical inputs 

* strengthens local economies by keeping food dollars in local communities 

* directly links producers with consumers allowing people to have a personal connection with their food and the land on which it was produced 

*makes nutritious, affordable, wholesome foods accessible and widely available to community members. 

One fact also to consider: organic food produced with local communities is not the same as organic food transported over long distances. When members obtain food from local farmers, environmental costs associated with the transport, processing and distribution of organic food and the consumption of fossil fuels are significantly reduced. Considering that the organic food available to members was produced locally rather than transported over long distances, the cost to the environment is significantly less. 

WHAT IS A SHARE?

A "share" is usually enough to feed a family of four or a couple on a vegetarian diet. Sometimes "half shares" are available. The price of a share for a season varies widely. Depending on each farm's costs of operation, total months of distribution, variety of crops available and productivity of the soil. Most full shares fall with the range of $300 to $600. Actual cost of produce to the member varies, but is generally comparable to prices in the supermarket. 

How to Participate?