What's a CSA?

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture.  CSAs are essentially shares of local farms.  The customer pays in the beginning of the growing year for their produce which is then received throughout the growing season.  In a good CSA program this is a mutually beneficial situation for the grower and the customer.  The farmer receives much needed income during the winter months and the customer gets the best produce and the best selection from the farm they are supporting.  The customer agrees to share in the farm's bounty as well as in the farm's losses.  For example, this could translate into a great year for tomatoes but not so good a year for onions.  At the same time, customers are usually offered special access to the farm as well as newsletters, recipes, and work opportunities for reduced share cost.  Every CSA runs differently, but all with the same mission... to support local agriculture!