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 Yonkers farmers who grow them together. This program 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 Yonkers CSAs Work
Grocery shopping is a whole lot easier for Yonkers CSA subscribers. As opposed to 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 a concept which is increasing in popularity across the country given 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 reside.
Benefits of CSAs in Yonkers, NY
What are the advantages of joining a Yonkers 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 key benefit is that the produce is just about as fresh as you can get, because it's picked, sorted and delivered typically on the same day.
Often, it's less expensive than buying produce through] supermarkets in Yonkers, because it eliminates the middleman and joins the consumer and the local farmer without any markup on profit. Yonkers CSAs benefit the local economy, too, since they keep the revenue right in the area, instead of sending it to other countries or other states where produce may originate.
Yonkers CSA Programs Are on the Rise
Just a few short years ago, a CSA program probably didn't exist in your Yonkers community. They've definitely taken off in the last few years, and for good reason. They're 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.
Usually, the crops are organic, so health-conscious Yonkers individuals can be sure they are 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 many diverse 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 maintained by local food co-ops or service organizations, while farmers often coordinate 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 are easy to start and maintain, so there isn't any reason why your community should do without one.
CSA Apprenticeship in Yonkers
Even if you think you can't afford to belong to Yonkers CSAs, don't despair. Many farmers are offering apprenticeships for those who can't afford to purchase a membership for a season. You're working 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 Yonkers CSA in your area.