CONSIDERING A CSA MEMBERSHIP THIS YEAR? Support local farms and receive a fresh produce LEA HANSON
THE SPRING HARVEST is upon us, and in many communities, the last call to sign up for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) group is right around the corner. For those unfamiliar, a CSA is a group whose members receive weekly shares of food from a certain farm (or groups of farms) in the region. Being in a CSA is a commitment, and you can’t just swoop in to pick out your produce without signing up first. Fortunately, the number of CSAs has grown rapidly over the last few years, and in northern Colorado alone, there are more than 20 CSAs taking members and more sprouting each year. Most CSAs offer a few membership options (half or full share, weekly or biweekly pickup, etc.) and range in prices averaging around $400 per season (usually 20-24 weeks). Once you’ve found a CSA in your area, joining is usually as simple as filling out your information on the group’s website or placing a phone call. You’ll often have to pay for your seasonal share up-front. Oftentimes, you’ll receive a welcome kit with information about the farm and the farmers you’re supporting, how you can get involved on the farm,
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and how the delivery schedule is structured. At this point, you sit back, relax, and wait for the food to roll in. But before making the leap and investing in a CSA, consider whether the program is right for you—and which farm is the right one for you to support. Weigh the many pros and cons; the summer can be an unexpected time—for you and that farm. PRO: You’re supporting a local farmer sans middleman. Most CSA groups receive all their produce from one farm. Therefore, your contribution means a lot to the farm’s financial security, which can be so fragile and vulnerable to chance (weather conditions, slow days at the farmers market, etc.). By paying upfront, you’re ensuring the farm sales throughout the season. CON: You’re limited to that farm. What if that farm’s tomatoes get flea beetles? Or you find you don’t care for their bumper crop of cucumbers? Unfortunately, you’re beholden to those offerings once you join and most often aren’t offered an opportunity to give up your membership. PRO: The food is fresh. CSAs are a literal farm-to-table option. Your food is typically harvested days or hours before pickup and is rarely grown with harmful fertilizers or preservatives.
CONS: You must be ready to use the food you get. You get what you get and when you get it. Sometimes you get only leafy greens and sometimes none. It’s a good idea to look into the basics of preserving food for those weeks when you receive too much of one type of food to avoid waste. PRO: Try new, healthier foods. Even those of us who grow our own food already often don’t have space or capacity for large gardens. Most farmers often throw in crops you’re unfamiliar with, giving you delicious weekly surprises. CON: You might not like everything. Even if you don’t have picky eaters in your home, you may not like each type of item you receive in your weekly share. Or, you may not know how to prepare it in a way you can eat it. This may require some additional research and time on your part to learn a new food preparation skill. PRO: It’s interactive. CSAs are often set up with a community feel. You have the opportunity to meet and get to know the farmers who run it as well as other members. While it may not be required, there is often opportunity to volunteer at the farm itself. CON: There are requirements. As noted above, some CSAs require volunteer work. Ask questions about this and weigh the requirements against your time availability and interests.