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's just about all of us), and the Johnson 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 Johnson CSAs Work
Grocery shopping is a whole lot easier for Johnson CSA subscribers. Instead of having to wade through the produce section each 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's an idea that is getting more popular throughout the country since it cuts out the middleman, assures farm-fresh produce at reasonable 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, based on where you reside.
Benefits of CSAs in Johnson, VT
What are the advantages of joining a Johnson CSA program? Well, the produce doesn't have to be transported to a warehouse or group of supermarkets, it's only transferred 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 is selected, sorted and shipped typically on the same day.
Often, it's cheaper than buying produce through] supermarkets in Johnson, because it gets rid of the middleman and connects the consumer and the local farmer without any markup on profit. Johnson CSAs benefit the local economy, too, since they keep your revenue right in the area, instead of sending it to other countries or other states where produce may originate.
Johnson CSA Programs Are on the Rise
Just a few short years ago, a CSA program probably didn't exist in your Johnson community. They've 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 Johnson customers can be certain they're 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 several different cities to be sure 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 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 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 Johnson
Even if you feel you cannot afford to belong to Johnson CSAs, don't despair. Many farmers are offering apprenticeships for people who can not afford to purchase a membership for a season. You're employed 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 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 Johnson CSA in your area.