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 almost all of us), and the Bayside farmers who grow them together. The program works on a subscription basis. Subscribers can get a subscription to the produce service for either a growing season or for the whole year.
How Bayside CSAs Work
Grocery shopping is a whole lot easier for Bayside CSA subscribers. Instead of having to wade through the produce section every 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 is a concept that is getting more popular across the country since it cuts out the middleman, guarantees farm-fresh produce at cheap prices, and is good for the environment because it minimizes transportation costs, as well. CSA subscriptions generally run from early May through September or October, based on where you reside.
Benefits of CSAs in Bayside, WI
What are the advantages of joining a Bayside CSA program? Well, the produce does not 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 significant advantage is the produce is just about as fresh as you can get, since it is chosen, sorted and shipped generally on the same day.
Often, it's cheaper than buying produce through] supermarkets in Bayside, because it does away with the middleman and joins the consumer and the local farmer without any markup on profit. Bayside 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.
Bayside CSA Programs Are on the Rise
Just a few short years ago, a CSA program probably didn't exist in your Bayside 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're 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.
Usually, the crops are organic, so health-conscious Bayside individuals know they are eating right, and community supported agriculture programs offer a wide variety of options, including;
- Veggies
- Fruits
- Flowers
- Meats
- Cheeses
You don't need to live right next to an agricultural area, either, often farmers will spread their produce around in several diverse 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 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 simple to start and maintain, so there's no reason why your community should do without one.
CSA Apprenticeship in Bayside
Even if you feel you can not afford to belong to Bayside CSAs, don't despair. Many farmers are offering apprenticeships for many who can't afford to buy a membership for a season. You work 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 Bayside CSA in your area.