Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) is another popular way for consumers to buy locally-grown foods directly from the producer.

How it works:

• CSA farmers offer “shares” to the public prior to the start of the growing season. Consumers pay a specific fee for these “shares” and in return receive boxes of farm fresh foods. Buying a “share” or a membership to a CSA means that you also share the risks such as the weather with the farmer.
• All CSA programs vary – from food grown, to the size and cost of shares, to distribution arrangements, and in frequency and season length. Typically, farmers offer fruits and vegetables, but some also offer eggs and meats that can be included or sold separately from the box.

Advantages for Producers:

• Since “shares” are sold before the growing season begins, they are able to market their program before their busy planning and harvesting
• Knowing CSA program numbers in advance helps farmers’ determine the amount of seeds to plant for their growing season
• The shared costs and responsibility of CSA’s means that the farmer gets paid even if there is a poor growing season
• Receive payment early in the year, which helps the farms’ cash flow during the off-season
• Create relationships with community members that eat the foods they grow

Advantages for Consumers:

• Increased access to fresh, health food
• Exposure to new fruit and vegetables and new ways of cooking
• Visits to “your” farm at some point in the season
• In some cases, CSA program drop the box off to consumers
• Develop a relationship with farmer and ultimately with your food

For more information on CSA’s, please visit the Ontario CSA Directory.

Are you a Huron-Perth BLBF map producer that runs a CSA program? Let us know and we’ll add you to this page!