What's a CSA?
A CSA, sometimes called a Community Supported Agriculture Program, is a program with the goal to put people who use farm-grown products, (and that's just about all of us), and the New Market farmers who grow them together. This system works on a subscription basis. Subscribers can purchase a subscription to the produce service for either a growing season or for the whole year.
How New Market CSAs Work
Grocery shopping is a whole lot easier for New Market CSA subscribers. Rather than needing to wade through the produce section each week farmers do the job for them. Local farmers come up with a weekly basket of produce (sometimes meat and dairy as well) and deliver it to an established, central location, or subscribers can pick it up at the farm.
It's an idea that is increasing in popularity throughout the country given it cuts out the middleman, guarantees farm-fresh produce at cheap prices, and is good for the environment because it minimizes transportation costs, as well. CSA subscriptions usually run from early May through September or October, depending on where you reside.
Benefits of CSAs in New Market, AL
What are the benefits of joining a New Market CSA program? Well, the produce doesn't have to be transferred to a warehouse or group of supermarkets, it's only transported once, to the pick-up location, so subscribers are helping save on fuel costs and spare the environment from emissions. One key advantage is that the produce is just about as fresh as you can get, because it's picked, sorted and sent usually on the same day.
Often, it's less costly than buying produce through] supermarkets in New Market, because it does away with the middleman and links the consumer and the local farmer without any markup on profit. New Market CSAs profit the local economy, too, because they keep your revenue right in the area, instead of sending it to other countries or other states where produce may originate.
New Market CSA Programs Are on the Rise
Just a few short years ago, a CSA program probably didn't exist in your New Market community. They have truly gained popularity in the last few years, and for good reason. They're a great way for farmers to know they are going to have a market for their crops, but they are a great way for the consumer to get high-quality products having to break the bank, too.
Primarily, the crops are organic, so health-conscious New Market consumers can be sure they're eating right, and community supported agriculture programs offer a wide selection of options, including;
- Veggies
- Fruits
- Flowers
- Meats
- Cheeses
You do not need to live right next to an agricultural area, either, often farmers will spread their produce around in several distinct cities to be sure all their crops are spoken for.
If you don't have a CSA program in your community, talk to a local community service organization about starting one. Some are maintained by local food co-ops or service organizations, while farmers often arrange their own CSAs, too. If you know a farmer, find out if they're offering a CSA program, and if they're not, give them a hint! These programs benefit just about everyone involved, and they're easy to start and maintain, so there's no reason why your community should do without one.
CSA Apprenticeship in New Market
Even if you feel you can not afford to belong to New Market CSAs, don't despair. Many farmers are providing apprenticeships for many who can't afford to buy a membership for a season. You're working in the fields for a pre-determined amount of time each week, and find out more about the business of agriculture, and you receive a share of the crops in return. Now that's a win-win situation for everyone!
During a time when we worry about the quality of our food, how far it's traveled, and how long it's been sitting in a warehouse before it finally reached the supermarket, these novel programs can bring a little more peace of mind about where dinner's coming from and teach you new skills at the same time.
Even if you don't want to work in an apprenticeship, you can usually visit the farm and actually see where your next meal is coming from, and that's a very good feeling. So, help a farmer, feed your family better, and save money by joining New Market CSA in your area.