What is a CSA? -and should you be a part of one?

Community Supported Agriculture is the future of sustainable eating that connects consumers to their local farm, supported by the community.

Harvest boxes are delivered to members throughout the Jacksonville Florida area.

If you have an opportunity to get a better product for less money, with the added convenience of having it delivered, why would anyone choose anything else?

It's not a new concept. In fact, it's believed to have been developed as far back as the late 70's. So then why is the CSA still so unknown or not understood? Well let's take a closer look, but first. . .

What A CSA Actually Is

Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA is a local food system that connects consumers directly with farmers. Consumers buy a "share" of the farm's harvest upfront, typically at the beginning of the growing season. Then all members of the CSA community share in the harvested crops in the form of regular deliveries of fresh seasonal produce throughout the year.

CSAs go beyond just a food source. They foster a connection between people and their food. Consumers gain a deeper understanding of where their food comes from and how it's grown, while supporting sustainable farming practices. Some CSAs offer additional benefits such as farm tours and recipes that feature the seasonal harvest.

We estimate there are approximately 18,000 CSAs currently operating in the US. So why is it then that the vast majority of the population is unaware that community supported agriculture even exists? It's a good question, and while it is difficult to say for sure, here are a few potential reasons:

Limited geographic reach

CSAs tend to be concentrated in certain areas, particularly near cities with higher population density and interest in local food. Rural areas may have limited access to CSA programs. However, In the Jacksonville Florida area where we are, there are a surprisingly limited number of such programs, especially considering the size of the city.

Marketing challenges

Many CSAs are small farms with limited marketing budgets. This makes it difficult to compete with the advertising power of large grocery chains and raise awareness.

Lack of convenience