Harvest Sharing

One of the best ways to eat healthier is to include more whole foods into your diet, especially those that are fresh from the local farms. In my last article, Simple Solutions to Eating Seasonally, there are tips on how to do this. One of them, and probably the simplest and most effective way to do this is to join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), otherwise known as a crop share.
CSA’s originated around the 1860 in Germany, Switzerland and Japan and are now meeting a new demand in the US, that of consumers desiring to eat more fresh and unprocessed foods. The premise is that consumers support the budget of the whole farm and receive what is seasonally ripe weekly, biweekly or monthly. This approach eliminates marketing risks and costs, saves time and manpower, and allows the farmers to focus on quality foods using ecological, organic or biodynamic farming methods. There is little to no loss by knowing in advance how much to grow.
CSA’s are becoming more flexible to accommodate all interested consumers. For example, the share I purchased for the 2008 season is from Harmony Valley Farm in WI, and they offer flexible payment options including monthly electronic payment, as well as full and half shares options to accommodate single, small and large families. They offer a variety of shares to interest all, including organic vegetables, fruits, cheese, and coffee. Others offer, milk, flowers, nuts, eggs, and other items as well. Purchasing a share or a half share makes you a shareholder of the farm. A typical season is late spring to early-mid fall.

CSA’s have become an innovative way to resourcefully bring together farmers and consumers and there popularity continues to grow. And why not...sharing crops offers significant advantages to both parties.

Improves your health
Local foods are more nutritious
Food does not travel far
Food is picked the day of delivery
Food is seasonal w/ highest quality weather, soil, & farming conditions
Diversifies your diet
Helps our environment by:
Reducing the energy required to get food
Eliminates waste production of harmful chemicals
Lowers transportation costs
Commercial fertilizers & pesticides are rarely used
Strengthens the local economy
Consumers get more nutritious food at a lower cost
Convenient, no hassle and searching for local, seasonal, healthy foods
Provides capital to local farmers
Eliminates the middle man

To find a CSA near you check out http://www.localharvest.org/csa/.
.