Community Supported Agriculture

The phrase “community supported agriculture” is becoming more and more common, yet there are still many misunderstandings about its true purpose. Nowadays most of us are aware that by buying our produce locally we are reducing our carbon footprint. It is becoming ever more popular to seek out the producers, who are producing the local food, and buy directly from them. Community Supported Agriculture programs allow you to do just that. A Community Supported Agriculture (or CSA) program is a world wide program which allows the public to invest into the future of the harvest. In other words, the consumer prepays the farmer a fee, and in return that consumer, now member, will receive a fair share of the crops harvested throughout the summer and fall. There are many types of CSA farms, some producing meat, poultry and cheeses; however this article refers mainly to vegetable CSAs. After signing a contract with the farmer you will, beginning on a designated date, receive on a weekly basis, a “basket” of vegetables, delivered to an agreed upon location, or “drop off point”. The conditions, such as the duration of the program and the location of the drop off point are predetermined by the farmers and they commit to providing you and your family with a variety of fresh vegetables. The varieties will vary from week to week and are determined by the weather. Most farms try to provide between 8 and 12 different types of vegetables a week, unlike the misconception that all you are going to get is a box full of kale, kohlrabi and turnips. Along with sharing the crops of the farm you also share a small part of the risk. Sometimes due to uncontrolled circumstances certain crops may fail, so you may not get any cabbage in your basket this season but you will certainly be compensated with some other delicious replacements. Some farms offer home deliveries, though that option is rare because of lack of time, farmers would rather be in the field rather than in a delivery truck. Other farms may require you to come to the farm and pick up your vegetables. Many CSA farms encourage their members to take part in some of the farm activities, such as harvesting and most CSA farms welcome their members to visit.

Fees vary from farm to farm depending on the basket sizes offered and the duration. CSA baskets are not the same as “food box programs”. These types of programs, though they offer vegetables at very reasonable rates, do not usually offer neither local nor organic products, often the products are imported and come from major distribution centers and in no way offer any connection with the growers. The vegetables you receive through a CSA program are valued at a fair market price and calculated to ensure their members a fair share every week, and usually a little extra thrown in thanks to particular abundant harvests. Depending on the time of the season the quantities will also vary, for example spring baskets in June may not contain as many varieties as you will in find in a September basket. For an extra fee some farms offer other products along with their vegetables, such as honey, eggs, cheese, homemade preserves, bread or meat. Most CSA farms grow organically, whether they are certified or not. Meaning that the farms grow in such a way as to protect the land on which they work, enhancing the environment while growing diverse crops. Certified or non-certified organic farms both use the same natural methods of cultivation and maintaining fertility. They compost, green manures and cover crops. They shun chemical pesticides; instead they use ground covers, manual weeding and have a small amount of tolerance to insects. The term “organic” cannot legally be used until the farm has been inspected and have had all their records verified by an authorized certification body. These certification bodies are administered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, there are many throughout the country and are the only ones who may or may not grant the certification for organic status. Certification is supposed to assure that all the regulations are being followed according to the standards. Many farms choose not to go through the procedures and expense of getting their certification for many reasons. Several of which include the cost. There is a substantial yearly fee, depending on the land size. Certification also requires meticulous record keeping of all aspects of the farms activities, taking time away from production or other practical tasks. Some producers feel that certification is not necessary for their farm because of the connection and trust they gain through direct sales to the consumer.

There are many reasons why a farm may choose to operate a Community Agriculture Supported program. Such programs enable the farmer to have better personal connections with the people who are eating their food and are able to receive feedback. It helps reduce food wastage because the farmers are able to have a better plan and plant only what is needed. It also allows the farmers to spend more time farming and less time marketing. Most importantly CSA supports the farm before the season begins, the time of the year when most of the expenses begin. Every year prior to even thinking about planting, farming costs occur. Seeds, seeds and more seeds, greenhouse expenses, possibly new plastic for the field house because it ripped and blew off during the winter, or new parts for the 30 year old tractor, hand tools and equipment, or having to have the refrigerator system serviced because the mice decided the compressor would make a nice condo.

In turn there are many reasons why a consumer would be drawn to such a program. As a member or shareholder to a farm you are also able to have that personal connection with the people growing your food and know exactly where it comes from and how it is grown. You will be able to enjoy tasty, field ripened vegetables, knowing that they are chemical free and organically grown. You may also have the experience of trying different vegetables which you may not buy otherwise or vegetables that may not be available at your local grocery store, therefore discovering and experimenting with new recipes. Moreover you can feel good knowing that you are supporting the local economy and a local small-scale family farm. Dan Wein of Wein Shared Farm in Manitoba, a food advocate and a pioneer CSA farmer refers to Community Supported Agriculture as “putting the culture back into agriculture”.

Find out if there is a farm is delivering CSA baskets to your neighbourhood or area. If your neighbourhood is privileged to have this service in the community it is well worth taking advantage of the opportunity of becoming CSA member. To find a farm or a drop off location check with your local health food stores or community centers. The internet may also be helpful. Equiterre’s website (an association which connects consumers to producers, for a small fee) is useful, though they only list their members and not all CSA farms are included. Word of mouth is always the best advertising; ask around, friends, neighbours and co-workers can be a great link to your next step of becoming a CSA member. You can own your own little portion of a farm without dealing with the swarms of mosquitoes, brutal sun and heat or the sleepless nights worrying if those seedlings you just planted will be destroyed by the triennial rains. You can just revel in the thrill of receiving your delicious, nutritious, seasonal vegetables every week this summer. Whether you choose conventionally or organically grown vegetables, certified or not certified, a CSA program is your connection to a local food source. <@Ri>Shelley Edwards

De La Rive Farm

Rigaud, Qc.<@$p> *We still have spaces available at our drop-offs in Hudson and NDG.