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 North Shore 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 North Shore CSAs Work
Grocery shopping is a whole lot easier for North Shore CSA subscribers. Rather than having to wade through the produce section weekly farmers do the work 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 is increasing in popularity around the country given it keeps out the middleman, guarantees 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 live.
Benefits of CSAs in North Shore, VA
What are the advantages of joining a North Shore CSA program? Well, the produce does not have to be moved to a warehouse or group of supermarkets, it's only moved once, to the pick-up location, so subscribers are helping save on fuel costs and spare the environment from emissions. One key advantage is that the produce is just about as fresh as possible, because it's selected, sorted and delivered usually on the same day.
Often, it's less costly than buying produce through] supermarkets in North Shore, because it gets rid of the middleman and links the consumer and the local farmer without any markup on profit. North Shore CSAs profit the local economy, too, because they maintain the revenue right in the area, instead of sending it to other countries or other states where produce may originate.
North Shore CSA Programs Are on the Rise
Just a few short years ago, a CSA program probably didn't exist in your North Shore community. They have truly gained popularity 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 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 North Shore customers can be certain they are eating right, and community supported agriculture programs offer a wide variety 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 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, plus they are easy to start and maintain, so there's no reason why your community should do without one.
CSA Apprenticeship in North Shore
Even if you think you can't afford to belong to North Shore 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 about the business of agriculture, and you receive a share of the crops in return. Now that's a win-win situation for everyone!
During 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 an excellent feeling. So, help a farmer, feed your family better, and save money by joining North Shore CSA in your area.