What's a CSA?
A CSA, also referred to as a Community Supported Agriculture Program, is a program with the goal to put people who use farm-grown products, (and that is most of us), and the Mound 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 Mound CSAs Work
Grocery shopping is a whole lot easier for Mound CSA subscribers. Instead of 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's getting more popular across the country given it keeps 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 primarily run from early May through September or October, depending on where you reside.
Benefits of CSAs in Mound, MN
What are the advantages of joining a Mound CSA program? Well, the produce does not 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 possible, because it is selected, sorted and sent typically on the same day.
Often, it's cheaper than buying produce through] supermarkets in Mound, because it eliminates the middleman and connects the consumer and the local farmer without any markup on profit. Mound CSAs help the local economy, too, simply because they keep the revenue right in the area, instead of sending it to other countries or other states where produce may originate.
Mound CSA Programs Are on the Rise
Just a few short years ago, a CSA program probably didn't exist in your Mound community. They have really taken off in the last few years, and for good reason. They are a great way for farmers to know they are going to 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 Mound individuals 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 don't have to live right next to an agricultural area, either, often farmers will spread their produce around in many different cities to be 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 managed by local food co-ops or service organizations, while farmers often coordinate 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 almost everybody involved, plus they are easy to start and maintain, so there is no reason why your community should do without one.
CSA Apprenticeship in Mound
Even if you think you cannot afford to belong to Mound CSAs, don't despair. Many farmers are providing apprenticeships for many who can not afford to buy a membership for a season. You're employed in the fields for a pre-determined amount of time each week, and learn 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 an excellent feeling. So, help a farmer, feed your family better, and save money by joining Mound CSA in your area.