What's a CSA?
A CSA, also known 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 Port Angeles 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 Port Angeles CSAs Work
Grocery shopping is a whole lot easier for Port Angeles CSA subscribers. As opposed to 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 is an idea that's catching on throughout the country because it keeps out the middleman, ensures farm-fresh produce at reasonable prices, and is good for the environment because it cuts down transportation costs, as well. CSA subscriptions generally run from early May through September or October, based on where you live.
Benefits of CSAs in Port Angeles, WA
What are the advantages of joining a Port Angeles CSA program? Well, the produce doesn't have to be moved 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 significant advantage is the produce is just about as fresh as you can get, since it is picked, sorted and shipped generally on the same day.
Often, it's less expensive than buying produce through] supermarkets in Port Angeles, because it eliminates the middleman and connects the consumer and the local farmer without any markup on profit. Port Angeles CSAs benefit the local economy, too, simply because they maintain the revenue right in the area, instead of sending it to other countries or other states where produce may originate.
Port Angeles CSA Programs Are on the Rise
Just a few short years ago, a CSA program probably didn't exist in your Port Angeles community. They have 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.
Generally, the crops are organic, so health-conscious Port Angeles consumers can be certain they're 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 a number of distinct 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 managed by local food co-ops or service organizations, while farmers often manage 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're simple to start and maintain, so there's no reason why your community should do without one.
CSA Apprenticeship in Port Angeles
Even if you feel you can't afford to belong to Port Angeles CSAs, don't despair. Many farmers are offering apprenticeships for people who can't afford to buy a membership for a season. You're working in the fields for a pre-determined amount 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's a very good feeling. So, help a farmer, feed your family better, and save money by joining Port Angeles CSA in your area.