By Marissa Silverberg, Food Systems and Policy Administrator | [emailprotected] | February 19, 2020
Locally-grown food offers taste and variety, supports area families and is great for the environment. Plus, small, local farms create thriving, well-connected and nurturing communities. Best of all, when you buy locally, you’re supporting a thriving local economy.
An important way you can start eating more local food is to participate in a CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture, program. When you become a CSA member, you’re buying a season’s worth of locally-grown produce in advance. CSA members receive boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables, and in some cases, meat and dairy, weekly or bi-weekly from participating farms and partner operations. This supports the farmers and their families who grow the food; provides new and interesting varieties of local fruits, vegetables and other products to try; teaches members about the seasonality of fresh produce and builds up the local food community.
How CSAs Support Farmers
Buying a share at a CSA farm is a way to support farmers early in the season, when the cost of seeds, soil amendments and equipment can deplete a farmer's cash reserves. In return, farmers can educate shareowners, introduce members to new varieties of produce and contribute locally-grown food to their community.
And, no matter the season, purchasing a CSA ensures farmer livelihoods despite the challenges they may face that are out of their control, such as crop failure, disease or changes in climate. A supportive community that’s eating in a healthy, hyper-local way is a buffer against the unpredictable.
What to Expect if You Sign Up For a CSA
Depending on how large the CSA is, or how many seasons you sign up for, you can expect to pay anywhere from $20-$50 per week for a seasonal share. That means a typical season could cost anywhere between $400-$800. The upfront costs may seem steep, but consider it in comparison to how much you spend on produce at a farmer's market or grocery store every week or month.
The content of each week’s share truly follows the seasons, as everything is grown from seed to seedling, tended and then harvested locally. Most CSA farms either carry the “naturally grown” or “organic” label, which are fairly similar in their implication — no pesticides or chemical fertilizers, plus sustainable farming practices. In other words, these farms carry vegetables you can feel good about eating and feeding your family.
In the coming weeks, farms will receive their first shares of fresh produce to distribute to their CSA members. There are several different types of CSA models and options available across Jefferson County. Visit our website at https://www.jeffco.us/3782/Urban-Farms for more information on farms near you and their CSA options.
If you do decide to join a CSA, you’ll not only be joining the growing number of people who have decided to bring their food a little closer to home, but you’ll also be helping sustain a way of life that keeps our environment and community healthy and thriving. You can feel confident that the money you spend on a CSA is going right into the farm and the products you receive.
Other Ways to Support Your Local Farmers
For those that may not feel a CSA program works for their needs, visiting local farm stands and farmers markets are also a great option. The stands and markets still allow consumers to get to know individual farmers and their different growing practices, as well as to enjoy fresh, seasonal produce. Visit our website in the coming months to find out which farm stands and farmers markets will be open this season.
We’ll see you this season at a Jeffco farm near you!
