What is CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)? ¹

A CSA, (for Community Supported Agriculture) is a way for the food buying public to create a relationship with a farm and to receive a weekly basket of produce. By making a financial commitment to a farm, people become "members" (or "shareholders," or "subscribers") of the CSA. Most CSA farmers prefer that members pay for the season up-front, but some farmers will accept weekly or monthly payments. Some CSAs also require that members work a small number of hours on the farm during the growing season.

A CSA season typically runs from late spring through early fall. The number of CSAs in the United States was estimated at 50 in 1990, and has since grown to over 1000.

We have quite a few farms in and around the Buffalo area that offer CSA shares. Some farms outside of the immediate Buffalo area may be listed as they deliver to the Buffalo area.

• Native Offerings -Website

References

• Community Supported Agriculture - Publications - USDA Agricultural Library
• Defining Community Supported Agriculture - USDA Agricultural Library
• Community-supported agriculture
• CSA - Food Network Video on YouTube.com
• Univ of Mass CSA Program
• Genesee Valley Organic CSA

As a seed (starting point), this page needs love!

Comments

Footnotes

1. Adapted from RocWiki CSA Article