What is a CSA?

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, a practice that started in the 1960s and 1970s in Japan. In Japan, the idea of “teikei” (“partnership” or “putting the farmer’s face on food”) emerged as a response to food safety concerns. The movement started in the United States in the 1980s and is now widely practiced worldwide. 

So what is it? A CSA is a direct partnership between farmers and consumers, where members invest in a local farm by purchasing a ‘share’ of the season’s harvest upfront. In return, they receive regular deliveries or pickups of fresh, seasonal produce, and sometimes other farm goods like eggs, dairy, or meat. In Maryland, our farms offer a variety of products and you can find subscriptions from produce to meat to fresh cut flowers! It’s also important to note that CSAs offer a variety of options including various box sizes, different ways to pay (up-front or weekly), and have varying lengths of commitment (ex. 12 weeks, year-round, monthly, etc).

Why join a CSA? 

1. Members enjoy ultra-fresh, seasonal produce often harvested just before delivery.
2. Support your community farmer – many farms rely on these subscriptions as part of their business plan!
3. Eat more in-season foods.
4. Many CSAs offer opportunities for members to visit the farm, attend events, or volunteer, fostering a sense of connection to the land and the food they eat.
5. Supporting CSAs often means promoting sustainable farming practices, reducing food miles, and minimizing packaging.

Commit to eating more local food and find a CSA in your county now!!!

Don’t see your favorite CSA farm listed? Contact audrey.broomfield@maryland.gov so we can sign them up!

To find a CSA near you, check out our list by county below OR use the search function at the top!