What's a CSA?
A CSA, also known as 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 Belle Chasse farmers who grow them together. This system works on a subscription basis. Subscribers can buy a subscription to the produce service for either a growing season or for the whole year.
How Belle Chasse CSAs Work
Grocery shopping is a whole lot easier for Belle Chasse CSA subscribers. Rather than needing to wade through the produce section every week farmers do the work 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 which is catching on across the country since it keeps out the middleman, assures farm-fresh produce at cheap prices, and is good for the environment because it decreases transportation costs, as well. CSA subscriptions generally run from early May through September or October, dependent on where you reside.
Benefits of CSAs in Belle Chasse, LA
What are the benefits of joining a Belle Chasse 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 significant advantage is that the produce is just about as fresh as you can get, because it's chosen, sorted and shipped usually on the same day.
Often, it's less expensive than buying produce through] supermarkets in Belle Chasse, because it gets rid of the middleman and connects the consumer and the local farmer without any markup on profit. Belle Chasse CSAs help 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.
Belle Chasse CSA Programs Are on the Rise
Just a few short years ago, a CSA program probably didn't exist in your Belle Chasse community. They have definitely gained popularity in the last few years, and for good reason. They are a great way for farmers to know they're going to have a market for their crops, but they're a great way for the consumer to get high-quality products without breaking the bank, too.
Primarily, the crops are organic, so health-conscious Belle Chasse consumers can be certain they are eating right, and community supported agriculture programs offer a wide array of options, including;
- Veggies
- Fruits
- Flowers
- Meats
- Cheeses
You do not have to live right next to an agricultural area, either, often farmers will spread their produce around in a number of distinct cities to ensure all their crops are spoken for.
If you do not 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 organize 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 just about everybody involved, and they are simple to start and maintain, so there is no reason why your community should do without one.
CSA Apprenticeship in Belle Chasse
Even if you feel you cannot afford to belong to Belle Chasse CSAs, don't despair. Many farmers are providing apprenticeships for those who can not afford to buy a membership for a season. You work in the fields for a pre-determined period 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 Belle Chasse CSA in your area.