It's CSA Week: Let's Pick a CSA!

It's #CSAWeek!

So you’re interested in a CSA but you're not sure which farm to choose. We can help!  

>>This post is all about HOW to choose a CSA. If you feel ready to make your choice, check out our 2022 CSA Round Up post HERE!>>

It's important to know that MAP does not have their own CSA. We proudly support our CSA farmer friends by sharing information about CSAs, hosting CSA pick ups at our Farmhouse, and teaching people how to work with what they've got -- a key component to being a successful CSA member! 

What is a CSA? CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, meaning that the community (us eaters), support the work of a farmer (and therefore agriculture in general) by forming a direct relationship with a farm. A CSA farmer sells subscriptions or memberships to their CSA program. Members receive a share of produce, generally once per week, for typically 12-24 weeks. CSA farmers might also have a farm stand, attend a farmers market, or sell their produce wholesale. 

Did you know the CSA model is rooted in Black History? Mother Earth News has a great article that chronicles U.S. Community Supported Agriculture's start in Alabama in the 1960s where Booker T. Whatley developed a direct marketing plan for his farm called a clientele membership club. The club solidified his customer base, allowed for reliable crop planning and cut out the middle man, making it possible for his farm to offer produce directly to customers, mostly to folks in a nearby city. 

We love CSAs because they strengthen our connection to our food source and helps us eat a well-rounded seasonal diet. We have TONS of options in WNY. You can subscribe to virtually anything in 2022 (even beer! ::shameless plug for our previous Sip & CSA Day event sponsor, Community Beer Works::), but nothing beats a fresh box of local veggies straight from the farmer themselves. 

CSA shares are limited, so do your research & remember to sign up ASAP to reserve your spot. Whether you are a long time CSA member, or joining for the first time, we encourage you to learn more about CSAs before choosing your forever farm. But first, we offer a little guidance to help you narrow down the pool of awesome options. 

When? Where? 

A good place to start narrowing the options is where and when you want to receive your CSA. Most CSAs have one day set aside for distribution. Some CSAs might have two. Two important factors to consider regarding pick up day:

• Summer Schedules - Do you play a summer sport or have children who do? Are you often out of town on weekends?
• Driving Time - Will your daily commute impact your ability to make it to the pick up on time? 

Here are some of the ways you can get that CSA box in your hands. 

• 
  Farm Pick Up - Farms that have their CSA pick up at their farm or farm stand tend to have flexibility inside the box. Some will set out bins with signs that read “Pick two from this table” or “choose one large or two small” to offer you a little bit of freedom. On-farm pick ups might include u-pick items or have an open farm stand where you can purchase add-ons like honey, eggs, meat, and flowers. Picking your share up at the farm offers the greatest connection to your farmer. You get to see the farm flourish throughout the season and chat with farmers each week. 
• Drop Site Pick Up - Many farms utilize drop sites to help with distribution. MAP's Market at the Farmhouse is a drop site for several farms! Farmers drop their boxes off at a central location - school, church, or community center and members stop by during the allotted pick up time to get their share. 
• Community Pick Up - Some CSAs rely on members to help with distribution. Members will take turns driving to the farm to get a number of shares for their neighborhood. Then that member hosts the pick up at their home or a central location. This option is fun because you get to see the farm a couple of times per season.
• Home Delivery - This option is on the rise. Farmers may have delivery available as part of their share cost or for an additional fee. This is a great option for those who don’t drive, anyone who is super busy, and those of us who are less mobile. Some shares even include coolers or cooler bags for porch storage. When you see the fee for delivery, don't gasp just yet! This is the fee for the whole season. When you consider gas, time spent, and the convenience, the math works out just fine. 
• Business Delivery - Thinking of getting your whole office on board? Ask your farmer before you send everyone to a far away drop site. Your CSA farmer might be willing to make a special drop for 5+ members, right to your office, community center or even your gym. 

Variety

Variety will vary depending on the season, but each farm should be able to tell you what staples they are planning on. Most of the websites have pictures of an average share and lists of crops they intend to grow. If they don't, just ask! The variety of fresh produce in your CSA box might inspire you to cook new things. Most farms will offer a weekly email or newsletter filled with simple recipes you can follow. Farmers are very generous with information about their work so you’ll find yourself learning a lot when you ask questions.

Size

CSAs come in many sizes. You might consider splitting larger shares with neighbors and friends. Each CSA farmer has a pretty good idea of how many people their CSA will feed. They will even know how to consider those new to veggie eating!

• Standard Shares usually feed a family of four or 2-3 strictly veggie eaters.
• Bi-weekly or monthly options are great for those worried about waste or hoping to plan around summer vacations.
• Share Add-Ons typically provide enough fruit, eggs or protein for the same number of people as the veggie component intends to feed.

Price & Payment

Price and payment arrangements can vary depending on share size. Remember to carefully consider your budget when choosing a share. You will need to make a larger payment at the beginning of the year but you won't be spending nearly as much all summer. 

• Installments can be paid to farmers. Most CSAs already have a payment arrangement spelled out in their contract. Some farms may accept payment arrangements outside of those listed on their website, so do not hesitate to ask.
• Farmers accept cash, check, and in most cases, credit card.
• SNAP users can find CSAs in WNY that accept EBT. These options are more limited but they definitely exist. 
• Work shares are reserved for those who pledge to give time to the farmer when they need it most. Typically workers set aside a few hours a day or each month to help wash produce, pack boxes, or assist with distribution. The time you give has value! Your contribution may be worth a discount on your share or in some cases, a whole season of boxes. Check with your farm to see if work shares are available.

Perks of CSAs

• Recipes and inspiration are a part of every CSA. Whether you chat for a moment with your farmer for tips or read their weekly email, you're going to learn a thing or two. Hopefully your CSA share inspires you to try a new cooking technique or enhance your diet.
• Choice of which greens, squash, or root veggies you prefer may be a part of your share. Farm pick ups tend to have more flexibility inside the box than drop sites. 
• U-Pick may be available weekly or occasionally when produce is abundant. This may include berries, tomatoes, beans or even flowers.
• Bulk pricing on larger quantities of produce during peak season may be possible. All you have to do is ask ahead of time! Remember to consider pricing, harvest and delivery times, and shelf life before you buy in bulk.
• Compost drop off may be accommodated on share pick up day. Be sure to ask what you are allowed to include as many places don’t want citrus peels or conventional produce scraps in their compost piles.
• Fall-time celebrations will be in order and each farm celebrates differently. A potluck dinner, recipe swap, or pumpkin harvest might be part of your CSA. Don't miss out on those perks! They often include taking home additional produce and you'll definitely meet new friends. 

Sip & CSA Day

Today's post was made in lieu of MAPs annual Sip & CSA Day farmer meet & greet event. Each year, we try to do something fun for #CSADay (now #CSAWeek) that supports y'all making awesome local food choices. We will miss seeing you all at our Farmhouse this winter but hope you will visit for our socially distanced Market at the Farmhouse, opening soon, or a MAP Mobile Market location this summer.

Check out images from the 2020 Sip & CSA Day event here. 

More Support

• Check out our post, Know Your Farmer, that launches later this week for a rundown of WNY CSAs.
• Join Find Your Farmer in WNY on Facebook to ask questions and read posts from local farms.
• Search #CSAWeek on social media to read posts from farms across the U.S.
• Pencil in the 2023 Sip & CSA Day event, held annually during #CSAWeek.

References

• A portion of this post was inspired by this article from our friends at Civil Eats. They recently took a look at how the pandemic has impacted CSA subscriptions. 
• Thank you to the folks at Mother Earth News for their chronicle on the Black History roots of the CSA model. 
• The USDA tracks CSAs and other direct to farm relationships consumers have. There are a TON of resources in this post on USDA.gov.