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 almost all of us), and the Circle Pines farmers who grow them together. This 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 Circle Pines CSAs Work
Grocery shopping is a whole lot easier for Circle Pines CSA subscribers. Rather than having to wade through the produce section weekly 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's an idea that is getting more popular throughout the country since it cuts out the middleman, ensures farm-fresh produce at affordable prices, and is good for the environment because it decreases transportation costs, as well. CSA subscriptions primarily run from early May through September or October, dependent on where you live.
Benefits of CSAs in Circle Pines, MN
What are the advantages of joining a Circle Pines CSA program? Well, the produce doesn't have to be transported 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 the produce is just about as fresh as possible, because it's selected, sorted and shipped usually on the same day.
Often, it's less expensive than buying produce through] supermarkets in Circle Pines, because it eliminates the middleman and joins the consumer and the local farmer without any markup on profit. Circle Pines CSAs benefit 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.
Circle Pines CSA Programs Are on the Rise
Just a few short years ago, a CSA program probably didn't exist in your Circle Pines community. They have really taken off 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 are a great way for the consumer to get high-quality products without breaking the bank, too.
Primarily, the crops are organic, so health-conscious Circle Pines customers know they are eating right, and community supported agriculture programs offer a wide variety 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 a number of different cities to make sure 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 whether 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 isn't any reason why your community should do without one.
CSA Apprenticeship in Circle Pines
Even if you feel you can't afford to belong to Circle Pines CSAs, don't despair. Many farmers are offering apprenticeships for those who can't afford to purchase a membership for a season. You're employed in the fields for a pre-determined amount of time each week, and find out 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 arrived at 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 Circle Pines CSA in your area.