Photo credit – Katheryn Moran Photography

For consumers eagerly awaiting fresh spring and summer produce, now is the time to choose a  CSA farmer. CSA stands for ‘Community Supported Agriculture’, a convenient way to keep the kitchen stocked with the very best the season has to offer while directly supporting and engaging with a local farm. February 19th-25th is CSA Week, a nation-wide effort supported by the CSA Innovation Network to promote CSA farmers and encourage consumers to sign up early for CSA subscriptions. Celebrating CSA Week not only supports local farmers but also represents a crucial step towards reducing our carbon footprint and combating climate change. By choosing local, we minimize food miles, reduce packaging waste, and support sustainable agricultural practices that are kinder to our planet. 

For those that might be new to CSA, Eat Local First can be a trusty guide. Eat Local First’s CSA Finder helps consumers in Washington find local food subscriptions near them, and is also offering the chance to win $300 toward their choice of a CSA share from any CSA farm in Washington. Additional resources, tips and stories of local CSA farms and CSF (Community Supported Fisheries) are also available on the Eat Local First website. There are over 300 farms listed on the CSA Finder – something for everyone!

Joining a farm’s CSA is one of the most significant ways consumers can support local farmers and CSA Week is all about raising awareness of the importance of CSA. “Now more than ever, people recognize the value of local food that they can track to its source. CSA Week is all about connecting communities to their farmers and to the land their food comes from,” said Sadie Willis, coordinator of the CSA Innovation Network.  

CSA shares or “farm shares”, come in a variety of options – produce, fruit, fish, meat, eggs, dairy, and flowers across the seasons, with some farms even offering year-round options. “There’s something for everyone,” says Jess Meyer, Food and Farming Outreach Coordinator at Sustainable Connections and member of the Eat Local First Collaborative. “Farmers often offer newsletters, recipes and cooking tips so consumers can feel connected, inspired and confident about ways to enjoy the variety they receive in each box.” Participating in a CSA not only connects consumers with a diverse array of fresh, local produce but also promotes environmentally sustainable farming practices. These practices, such as organic farming, crop rotation, and reduced use of synthetic fertilizers, contribute significantly to mitigating climate change by enhancing soil health and biodiversity.

For those that wonder about affordability considering recent food price increases it is key to note that there are farms offering a sliding scale for payment, and the CSA Finder lists over 50 CSA programs that accept SNAP/EBT benefits for shares. Additionally, these local food boxes come in different sizes, frequencies, and season lengths. Collaboration is at the heart of CSA, so you’ll find that many growers and producers work together to include each others’ products resulting in larger variety and diversity of products. Additionally, partnerships with local businesses and community partners that serve as pick up locations have increased accessibility for farmers while also building a stronger sense of community and adding to their loyal customer base.  

Supporting CSA and local food systems plays a vital role in our collective efforts to mitigate climate change. By fostering a local food economy, we reduce the energy needed for transportation and storage, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and support a food system that’s more resilient to climate variability. With so many CSA options available, it can be hard to narrow down and choose, which is why the CSA finder allows consumers to use a number of filters to search by type, location, owner demographics and sustainable practices to help them find their perfect CSA match.

We invite you to join us in this movement. Your participation in a CSA program is a tangible action towards a healthier planet and a stronger community. Together, we can make a difference, one season at a time.

LINKS

CSA Finder: eatlocalfirst.org/csa

Enter to Win: eatlocalfirst.org/enter-to-win-300-toward-a-csa-share/

CSA FAQ’s: https://eatlocalfirst.org/csa-faq/

Facebook: facebook.com/eatlocalfirst

Instagram: instagram.com/eatlocalfirst/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/eat-local-first/

CSA Promotional Toolkit

Photos, graphics, overlays for promotional use

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