Community Supported Agriculture

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Within the last thirty years a demand for locally sourced food has been on the rise in the United States. What was once a culture of mass production has seen the development of a niche with the market that works to bring both consumer and producer together. Community supported agriculture is a growing business model among farmers that is reaping benefits for both producers and consumers alike.

Community supported agriculture emerges from several distinct strands of sustainable and organic farming in Europe. Agriculture based on principles that seek to approach farming from a more holistic perspective as well as one based on environmental sustainability. Community supported agriculture has risen in conjunction with concerns about the environment and with the methodology of corporate mass production. It is with these broader movements that the growth of CSA’s c an be understood. Community supported agriculture …show more content…

Community supported agriculture is vastly different from buying produce from a supermarket. CSAs function on a “shares” system. These shares are similar to owning stock in a company. When you acquire a share, you are entitled to a portion of the “profits”. Except instead of receiving money for a share you will receive produce. Your share will entitle you to a box of produce usually once a week. Depending on the arrangement you may have some ability to select what produce you receive.

Shares are generally sold at the beginning of a growing season. The farmer will sell as many shares as he or she believes he or she will be able to sell. In this arrangement the consumer will have access to local and fresh produce. Consumers will also be able to build a relationship between his or herself and the producer, establishing a sense of community between all those involved. This supply of food can be a cheaper and farmer more sustainable than other sources of

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