Community Supported Agriculture

About CSA

Community Supported Agriculture is a food production and distribution system which links the consumer directly with a farmer and their fresh produce.

A number of models exist but commonly the farmer and their customers (ranging from 10 – 100 households) come to an arrangement where a box of produce is provided on a weekly basis. Customers usually pay in advance for one month to a year’s supply.  This assured income enables the farmer to focus on food production and also to invest in sustainable land management projects.

The variety of produce provided in the weekly box can often be increased if farmers work together to provide the produce for their households.

On a larger scale, a cooperative of farmers may develop. Food Connect is an example of this where 80 or so of mostly organic farmers provide their produce to the Food Connect warehouse, which then distributes to satellite locations throughout the Brisbane area. Such a large scale operations enables many small farmers, who may have difficulties providing a regular supply to feel confident of a market for their produce throughout the season.

There are many benefits to this model of food distribution including:

The environment and food security…

• Food biodiversity is encouraged within a region with small farms able to produce crops often not suited to large scale monocultures;
• Fertile land is more highly valued increasing the incentive to protect farming land from urban development;

The farmer…

• An increase in profits directed to farmers enabling and sustaining the development of sustainable farming techniques
• Fostering a sense of land stewardship and social responsibility
• A reduction in carbon emissions via the low food miles and minimal packaging and storage required;
• Farm debt is reduced encouraging food production as a viable and enjoyable livelihood;
• Harvest losses and wastage can be minimised;
• Unmitigated risks, such as floods, droughts etc, are shared by everyone;
• Marketing
• Direct contact with their customers increases work satisfaction knowing that their product is valued and their work appreciated

The customer…

• Reliable access to fresh, organic, environmentally sound produce;
• The opportunity for farm visits and to work in exchange for produce;
• Contribution to positive farming practices in the region through their food purchasing practices:
• Social satisfaction knowing they are helping to sustain a valuable livelihood;