CSA Season is Around the Corner and They are More Important Than You May Think

With spring having just arrived, farms offering Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) are looking for new members. CSAs are the lifeblood of local farms, offer a wide variety of choices, and provide fresh produce you could not ordinarily buy at a supermarket. The Intervale Center is home to a few farms with CSAs, including Half Pint Farm’s first time offering one this year. Intervale Community Farm is the longest standing farm at the Intervale Center, is co-op member-owned, and has 25 acres of organic produce. More than 90% of the farm’s produce is sold through the CSA model.

Andy Jones has managed the Intervale Community Farm since 1993. He offered some insight for people who may have never participated in a CSA or may be hesitant to join. “CSAs are a great way to try out a broad spectrum of what’s available and what’s growing in your particular area at any given time. They can also be a great way to meet some farmers, enjoy a landscape and see the place your food comes from.”

The Intervale Community Farm provides a “pick your own” produce method which allows people an even more hands-on experience with their food. The importance of this type of produce is more and more understood: organic farm-to-table options that are free of harmful chemicals and support our local economy. As a CSA member, not only are you supporting a community farm, but you are also eliminating the carbon footprint of shopping at a chain supermarket for out-of-season goods that travel thousands of miles.

The benefits do not stop at being “greener” and “healthier”. CSAs can be less expensive than buying at farmer’s markets or supermarkets. Monthly payment plans can be an option, so you don’t have to pay for all of your food for the season upfront.

CSAs are often the reason small community farms can sustain their business. Andy Jones reflected on the importance of the CSA to his farm: “They are really the reason we exist. We are a member-owned CSA, our whole reason for being is to serve our members. It means everything. It’s fundamental to the focus of our work.”

While farms largely lost sales in the midst of the pandemic, CSAs and direct-to-farm sales soared. This is because they provide an alternative to the often-crowded grocery stores with bare shelves. It is a way to forgo that trip to the store you may be dreading and appreciate the food our state has to offer.

As we come into spring and more produce becomes available, consider looking at our local CSAs. Whether you have never participated in a CSA before or are looking to renew, you can support a local farm and be part of a community. It is impossible to buy fresher ingredients to bring to the table.

Guest written by UVM student, Jackson Root.