Have you heard about CSA? (And we don’t mean child support agency!) CSA, community supported agriculture, is well established as part of green/ organic living in Canada, the US and some European countries. It is just beginning to appear in the UK. This video clip gives an excellent introduction into how this form of sharing and distributing fresh produce works, and also interviews members about the advantages of joining a CSA scheme.

Essentially if you belong to a CSA scheme, you pay a membership fee or subscription. This entitles you to an amount of fresh local produce each week during the growing season. It depends on the scheme as to whether you visit the farm to choose your food, or it is delivered to your house.

The main advantages are very clear:

  • Cheaper food, more economical than produce from shop or market,
  • (Usually) organic, you can visit the farm and see the foods growing,
  • Locally sourced, so minimal carbon footprint,
  • Fresher than any foods bought in a shop or supermarket,
  • Supports local farms/business,
  • In-season foods rather than transported out of season produce.

“There are so many economical, social and environmental benefits to it, that it just makes practical sense.”

“It’s a lifestyle choice.”

A quick Google search will get you more information about CSA schemes near you. For those in the UK, the Soil Association can give more information on how to find your nearest CSA. As part of an organic lifestyle, CSA schemes are the way forward for those wanting inexpensive, fresh local food.

Filed under: Organic Kitchen

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