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 Orchidlands Estates farmers who grow them together. The program 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 Orchidlands Estates CSAs Work
Grocery shopping is a whole lot easier for Orchidlands Estates CSA subscribers. Instead of needing to wade through the produce section weekly farmers do the job for them. Local farmers put together 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 is an idea that is getting more popular around the country since it cuts out the middleman, assures farm-fresh produce at affordable prices, and is good for the environment because it minimizes transportation costs, as well. CSA subscriptions generally run from early May through September or October, based on where you reside.
Benefits of CSAs in Orchidlands Estates, HI
What are the advantages of joining a Orchidlands Estates CSA program? Well, the produce doesn't have to be moved 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 significant advantage is that the produce is just about as fresh as possible, because it's picked, sorted and shipped typically on the same day.
Often, it's less expensive than buying produce through] supermarkets in Orchidlands Estates, because it does away with the middleman and connects the consumer and the local farmer without any markup on profit. Orchidlands Estates CSAs profit the local economy, too, simply because they maintain the revenue right in the area, instead of sending it to other countries or other states where produce may originate.
Orchidlands Estates CSA Programs Are on the Rise
Just a few short years ago, a CSA program probably didn't exist in your Orchidlands Estates community. They have definitely gained popularity in the last few years, and for good reason. They're a great way for farmers to know they will have a market for their crops, but they're a great way for the consumer to get high-quality products having to break the bank, too.
Generally, the crops are organic, so health-conscious Orchidlands Estates customers know they are eating right, and community supported agriculture programs offer a wide array of options, including;
- Veggies
- Fruits
- Flowers
- Meats
- Cheeses
You don't have to live right next to an agricultural area, either, often farmers will spread their produce around in many different cities to ensure 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 handled by local food co-ops or service organizations, while farmers often manage their own CSAs, too. If you know a farmer, determine if they're offering a CSA program, and if they're not, give them a hint! These programs benefit almost everybody involved, and they're simple to start and maintain, so there's no reason why your community should do without one.
CSA Apprenticeship in Orchidlands Estates
Even if you feel you cannot afford to belong to Orchidlands Estates CSAs, don't despair. Many farmers are providing apprenticeships for people who can not afford to purchase 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!
At 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 is a very good feeling. So, help a farmer, feed your family better, and save money by joining Orchidlands Estates CSA in your area.