What's a CSA?

Community Supported Agriculture offers a sustainable way for groups of individuals to purchase food directly from local farms. These organizations have created a socially-conscious business model where consumers share in the risks inherent in growing food by purchasing shares of a farm’s production.

At the beginning of each year CSA members pay for their full year's share of food. The timing of payment is important because the money enables famers to purchase seeds and other materials that are required at the beginning of the growing season.

During summer and fall, the farm makes weekly deliveries of fresh produce to each CSA. Many CSAs have evolved to offer many types of foods from local producers including fruits, dairy, eggs, meats, and breads.

CSAs in New York City differ from those found in the rest of the country. Here, CSAs are non-profit volunteer-run organizations created by city residents to service specific local neighborhoods.

Most CSA members live within walking distance of one another. These communities are highly independent and committed to helping their members enjoy a seasonal way of eating.

Community Supported Agriculture is a truly grassroots approach to solving some of our country's biggest food related problems. It puts power directly in the hands of the consumers and farmers.

Why do we care so much about local food?

Empower Locals Local food production empowers urban groups to create direct relationships with local farms to address the specific needs of their communities. Models like CSAs are only possible because of the existence of local farms.

Better for the Environment The closer the farm is to your kitchen, the smaller the impact on the environment. Not only are transportation distance and chemical preservative use decreased, but smaller-scale independent farmers have more incentive to practise responsible farming because they own -- and often live on -- the land they farm.

Support Local Farms We like farms and farmers. Eating local foods creates jobs in local farming communities and supports their economies. Models like CSAs offer an important distribution channel for many new independent farms in the Northeast.

Good for You Eating local can change people’s relationship to food. Adapting to a more seasonal way of eating encourages people to become more aware about health and nutrition, and provides them with a deeper connection to their food.

Tastes Better Lastly, fresh local food just taste better!