Csa

[Goddess_girl]

Does anyone participate in a CSA program?
I just found out about them in Jane Goodalls book.

For thoses That donÂ’t know what it is; it is a organic farmer who makes its living by supplying to the people around his farm. Each season (usually 3) you get delivered to your door a boxes of fruits and veggies, ( one every week) They variety vary throughout the season. Usally around 300 to 500$ a season.

[Vandy]

That is amazing. I would love to do that. How do you? Can you tell me a little more about it?

[Goddess_girl]

I learned about it in Jane Goodalls new book.(Harvest For Hope)
She says MANY people do it in England, and many in the US as well, but i am guessing I dont live in a area where this happens.
She has some sources in her book ; I will try to find the one for CSA.
I tell you afterreading her book; i am pushing my husband to move some where where we can start up our own farm.
Of course I am sure it will be a few years down the road after i do intense reacerch!

[mbf]

If you have a local farmers market, usually set up with the local chamber of commerce you can call your local chamber and ask them for farmers contact info or do a search on-line.

MBF

[Sunshine9]

My family was part of this for a few years. Our house was actually the drop off point for the neighborhood, where an organic farmer brought crates of food for about 20 different families who came to pick it up. You could order at the beginning of the season and specify if there were certain things your family didn't like, and you could also have the option of doing a half crate, or a double I think. The produce would usually vary as the season went on, with the exception of the basics like lettuce and kale which would be there every week. I live in PA so the season was relatively short, running from the early summer to about sept/oct. It was wonderful though, and the food was sooo good and fresh. I think its one of the best ways to support organic farmers.

[Vandy]

How do I find an organic farmer by my house? I wish summer was here now, this is exciting!

[exurb]

CSAs are awesome!!!

here are some links to sample directories of CSAs in different regions. The last one has a find by state feature too. if you google CSA and your state or area, you can probably find a directory. Sometimes also local organic certifiers are helpful to find you a CSA.


BTW CSA stands for community shared agriculture, or community supported agriculture.


http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/csa.html

http://www.futureharvestcasa.org/csa.html

http://www.supermarketcoop.com/sfconnection.htm

http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/csa/csastate.htm

[Goddess_girl]

Thanks For The Great Sites!!!

[rawpriestess]

We grow almost all of our own produce, and keep all our neighbors and friends in food too (just to share-not for money) and we do know of someone who used to use a CSA for a while.

There are several in and around our area, and I think it is an excellent idea. We live in the middle of the woods, on a lake, at the bottom of Mt Rainier in Washington state, so we have lots of farmer types around. Gotta' love it.

[nobletroll]

another web site for CSAs
http://www.localharvest.org/

[Blu]

another web site for CSAs
http://www.localharvest.org/

wow thanks so much for this link! I found some local farms to me I didn't find on the other links. :D

[NoGMO!]

anyone on this board (in Dallas area) buying from an organic csa that you would recommend? I remember someone here posting some colorful photos of their coop produce a while back... sounds like quite a savings and a good way to promote organic farm practices.

[Goddess_girl]

WOW. There is really some wonderful produce from these sites!!
I am so happy i read Goodall's book; if not I never would have known!! ;)

[exurb]

goddess, wait til you taste it if it just looks good. almost all csa stuff is harvested the day you get it, varieties are often chosen for taste and quality rather than how long they will last on a grocery store shelf, how they can be mechanically picked, etc.

I just wanted to mention that some good csas sell out and only have so many spaces or "shares" available, so now is a good time to start to try to get yourself hooked up with one instead of waiting until the produce is in season. If you have some choice as to which one to join, see if you can compare lists of what they have included in the weekly shares in the past, or a list of what they offer.

[Goddess_girl]

.

I just wanted to mention that some good csas sell out and only have so many spaces or "shares" available, so now is a good time to start to try to get yourself hooked up with one instead of waiting until the produce is in season. If you have some choice as to which one to join, see if you can compare lists of what they have included in the weekly shares in the past, or a list of what they offer.

Good tip! However we will be moving, so I will have to worry about that later when we find a place to live!

[mellyc37]

OMG!!!!! There is one right here in my town, Tampa FL!!!!
I was just thinking even if I found one 3 or 4 hours away it would only be a saturday every few months and I could try to bundle it with some sight seeing or something.. I am so excited. Thanks for mentioning this!

[mellyc37]

well, so much for Tampa it is sold out. However, there is another one I have just sent an email to and it is within reasonable driving distance. I am so excited, thanks again for sharing about csa's.

[mellyc37]

Here is something else I found that maybe useful to some. Our county has a "grown consumer directory". I was able to put in organic in the search and found 3 u pick places that I will have to go check out.

http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/econdev/resources/onlineservices/hgcdir.cfm?proType=&opType=Organic+Farm&cityType=&Submit=Search