What Is CSA

"CSA is a partnership of mutual commitment between a farm and a community of
supporters which provides a direct link between the production and consumption of food.
Supporters cover a farm's yearly operating budget (seeds, fertilizer, water, equipment
maintenance, labor) by purchasing a share of the season's harvest."

- CSA of North America at UMASS Extension

In 1965 a group of women in Japan became concerned with the liberal use of pesticides, the
increase in processed and imported foods, and the declining number of their country's farms.
The women approached local farmers to initiate a cooperative relationship in which local
food was grown in exchange for consumer support. The term Teiki, which literally means
"partnership" or "cooperation" is the Japanese equivalent for CSA

Some years later, a similar relationship would be co-founded by Jan Vander Tuin near
Zurich, Switzerland. In 1984 Jan introduced the CSA concept to Robyn Van En at Indian
Line Farm in South Egremont, Massachusetts, and the first North American CSA farm was
born.

What started as a small apple orchard operation expanded to include vegetables, and within
four years, membership grew from 30-150 members. Word quickly spread about the new
concept's success, and Robyn went on tour, representing the CSA movement across the
country and helping to pioneer over 200 new ones

Today there are over 1,500 CSA farms across the United States and Canada. The CSA
concept is a growing, viable trend that can be a less costly alternative to buying from
supermarkets and great outdoor fun for the whole family.

CSA encourages us to eat in season, and to cook from what is fresh and available. It allows
us to sample new and unusual vegetables, fruits, and herbs. It connects children to agricultural
cycles and offers opportunities for them to put their hands in dirt.

Finally, in sharing the risks of each growing season with local farmers, shareholders can
intimately appreciate the rewards of nature's beautiful and innately sustainable harvest.