Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in Northern Massachusetts

It's CSA Sign Up Season!

Farms offering CSA (Consumer Supported Agriculture) programs have opened enrollment for the upcoming growing season. CSAs provide a way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. It's a simple enough idea, but its impact has been profound.

Now's your chance to invest in local farm sustainability. See the list below or use Northeast Harvest's interactive farm map to find a CSA near you.

What are "CSA" programs?

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs have become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer and contribute to the sustainability of local agriculture. Here's how it generally works:  A farmer offers a certain number of "shares" to the public. Interested consumers purchase a share or half-share and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season.
 
This is a mutually beneficial business relationship of shared risk and shared reward. The farmer works hard to deliver a beautiful and bountiful amount of produce each week, and hopes that Mother Nature cooperates.

Farmer Benefits:

• Receive payment early in the season, which helps with the farm's cash flow
• Get to spend time marketing the food early in the year, before their 16 hour days in the field begin
• Have an opportunity to get to know the people who eat the food they grow

Consumer Benefits:

• Eat ultra-fresh food, with all the flavor and vitamin benefits
• Develop a relationship with the farmer who grows their food and learn more about how food is grown
• Get exposed to new vegetables and new ways of cooking
• Find that kids typically favor food from "their" farm - even veggies they've never been known to eat

It's a simple enough idea, but its impact has been profound. CSAs have become so popular there can be more demand than there are CSA farms to fill it.

Click here to find a CSA in northeastern Massachusetts using Northeast Harvest's Local Farm Map.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in Northeastern Massachusetts

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