Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is an innovative partnership between consumer and farmer that arose as consumers became increasingly concerned about agricultural practices and industrialization of food production. CSA initiatives, first developed in Japan, have spread throughout the United States and around the world. The mutually beneficial relationship offers abundant benefits for both grower and consumer.
Each local organization represents a unique relationship defined by the needs of the grower and community. This arrangement assures both a guaranteed market for the farmer's products and a financial support for the farmer. Co-op members pay a fee at the beginning of the growing season to cover the farm's anticipated seasonal operating expenses. Often, CSA members also help work on the farm to grow, harvest and distribute the produce. In return, they receive a portion of the harvest every week, providing each member with the freshest and most nutritious produce available. Some CSA farms also offer eggs, dairy, honey and meat.
The small-scale, diversified farms of the CSA movement are the ideal candidates for sustainable agricultural practices, and many are certified as organic farms. CSA members have the benefit of knowing exactly how and where their food was grown. Their participation in the program connects them to the land and fosters a sense of well being and community participation.
Northeast Ohio has several active CSA projects, and many have waiting lists for new members. Tim Hite, of the Crown Point Ecology Center in Bath, Ohio, believes that our area could easily support several additional CSA farms. Crown Point currently operates a 65-member CSA project on a certified organic farm owned by the Sisters of St. Dominic of Akron. In addition to supplying their members with fresh organic produce, Crown Point donates half of its total food production to the Akron Canton Regional Food Bank.
The supportive nature of a CSA co-op bridges the gap between the community and the farmer. In considering the health, economic and environmental benefits of local and seasonal food consumption, Community Supported Agriculture represents a truly synergistic, win-win partnership in every way.

To learn more about CSA, and for a national directory, visit www.csacenter.org.

Karen Conant grows heirloom vegetables, herbs and flowers at RidgeBridge Farm in Avon, Ohio. She will be offering her produce at the North Union Markets in Lakewood and Parma this summer, and can be reached at RidgeBridgeFarm@aol.com.