Want Really Fresh Vegies?

Regardless of the type of farm, all CSAs work by selling shares. The farmer, usually with an advising committee representing the buyers, determines his/her annual operating expenses as well as which vegetables to plant and on what schedule. The budget is divided into shares. The average share cost across the country is $350-$400 - higher in the Northeast. A share is most often calculated as enough produce to provide for the weekly vegetable needs of a family of four.

Buyers purchase their shares before planting, thereby guaranteeing the farmer his expenses and providing working capital. Shareowners either go to the farm to pick up their produce or pick it up at a designated distribution point. You get whatever is harvested, whenever it's harvested, so the shareholder takes on the weather and crop risks.

There are many variations of the basic CSA model. Some shares can be designated as "working shares," i.e. if you commit to 3-4 hours of work/week, share costs are lower. Some farms offer half shares. Some farms offer apprenticeships or pick-your-own days. Many CSAs become social, putting on pot luck dinners or regular meetings. Most CSAs do some teaching, especially about some of the more unusual vegetables. They provide planting/harvest information, consulting chefs, printed recipes, or cooking classes. Other farms expand outside of produce, including dairy products, meat, flowers, fruit, honey, and/or eggs.

For those of you who are interested, here are some sources for more information about CSA's, which also have a search engine to help you find a local CSA. The primary source for CSA information is at the site for the Robyn Van En Center at Wilson College in Pa. Other useful sites are at the University of Massachusetts, and the USDA.

And if this has stimulated your curiousity about organic food or farming, please take a look at Suite U's course, Certified Organic Food, What is it, Who Grows it?.

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