Community Supported Agriculture & Food Subscriptions

• Community Supported Agriculture (CSA):  A new model food network, becoming popular in the United States in the last 20 years.  In a CSA, growers and consumers share the risks and benefits of food production. Consumers purchase their CSA shares before the growing season begins, allowing the producer to purchase seeds and prepare the soil for production. Then during the harvest season (typically 20-26 weeks), consumers will receive a share each week: a box or bag of healthy, ripe, locally grown foods.
   

• Food Subscription:  A food subscription provides a delivery of goods according to a set schedule. Unlike a CSA, food delivery services are not growing or producing the foods. However, they source locally grown foods whenever possible.