“Anybody interested in solving, rather than profiting from, the problems of food production and distribution will see that in the long run the safest food supply is a local food supply, not a supply that is dependent on a global economy.”
-Wendell Berry
The rise of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has reinvigorated the way we think about food, farming, and our local communities. CSAs offer a unique opportunity to support small-scale, sustainable farms while helping to build stronger, more resilient local food systems. But how did CSAs develop and why are they more important than ever?
Most people can’t recall a time before the modern grocery store, but just a few generations ago, most people relied on local farmers markets, butchers, and general stores for their food. In this way they could purchase food produced by nearby farmers or make arrangements directly with farmers for bulk produce.
The concept of grocery stores, as we know them today, began to take shape in the United States in the early 1900s with stores like Piggly Wiggly in Tennessee and King Kullen in New York allowing customers to choose from store shelves an array of products from around the country (and the world). Eventually, this self-service model spread throughout the country, leading to increasingly specialized stores, offering a vast selection of packaged foods and processed foods from distant places. Efficiency and choice led to a growing disconnect between consumers and the sources of their food. Large-scale food production, mass transportation networks, and long supply chains made it possible to access food from all over the world, but it also removed the relationship between the farmer and the consumer.
A Return to Local Food
In the 1980s, a new wave of agricultural advocates and organic farming groups sought to counter this trend by creating ways to reconnect consumers with their food. The CSA model was born from this desire for transparency, sustainability, and community. The first American CSA was founded in 1986 by Indian Line Farm in Massachusetts. Inspired by models in Japan and Europe, this early version of a CSA allowed members to pay upfront for a share of the farm’s harvest, creating a direct relationship between farmer and consumer.
By the early 1990s, the CSA movement had gained momentum across the U.S. Today there are thousands of CSA farms throughout the country. These farms offer a wide variety of products, from fresh vegetables and fruit to meat, dairy, eggs, and even flowers and herbs.
What does it mean to support a local CSA? Aside from securing fresh, high quality local food, here are a few ways CSAs benefit communities:
Direct Connection to Local Farms
CSAs offer a direct and personal relationship between local farmers and consumers. In traditional grocery store models, much of the food you buy is grown or produced far away, often in different countries or regions. These supply chains rely on complex logistics systems, which are vulnerable to disruptions from weather events, labor shortages, or geopolitical instability. By investing in your local farm, you help create a system that is less reliant on long-distance transport and more adaptable to local conditions.
Local Food Security
In times of crisis, CSAs provide insulation from food insecurity. When global supply chains falter, communities with strong local food systems can often continue producing and distributing food with less interruption. During COVID-19, many consumers turned to local farms to meet their food needs when faced with empty grocery store shelves. People don’t need to find themselves in this reactive position again. By continuing to support local farms, consumers ensure a steady, reliable source of food, regardless of national or global disruptions.
Support for Sustainable Practices
CSAs often promote sustainable farming practices, such as organic farming, crop rotation, and soil conservation. This focus on sustainability not only benefits the environment but also ensures that local food systems remain productive and healthy in the long term. By joining a CSA, consumers contribute to the preservation of farmland and the protection of natural resources, helping to safeguard the future of local food production.
Economic Resilience
When consumers purchase CSA shares, they invest directly in the future of their local farm. This upfront financial support helps farmers cover the costs of planting and maintaining crops before harvest time, providing economic security that is difficult to achieve through conventional retail markets. In turn, CSAs strengthen the local economy by keeping money circulating within the community.
Community Relationships
CSAs build strong ties between consumers and farmers, promoting a deeper understanding of how food is grown and where it comes from. This community-focused model fosters a sense of shared responsibility and encourages greater connection. It’s this network of support that can help local communities recover quickly from economic or environmental challenges.
CSAs Matter Now More Than Ever
The rise of CSAs is a conscious shift toward creating more resilient and community-driven food systems. By bypassing retail models and directly supporting local farms, we can help protect our community from supply chain disruptions while keeping our food systems localized and sustainable.
CSAs are part of the solution to economic uncertainty and global health crises. They build a more robust food system, foster connections between people and the land, and ensure that even in times of crisis, local communities will have access to fresh, nutritious food—while supporting the farmers who make it possible.
Frederick County is bustling with family farms who offer CSA options to the community. From meat and eggs to vegetables and herbs, there’s something for every family. Check them out below and join a CSA today!
FredCo CSA Options
Carter Hall Farm
310 Carters Lane Stephens City, VA
Geraghty’s Micro Farm
1659 Apple Pie Ridge Road Winchester, VA
Homestead Farm at Fruit Hill Orchard
2502 N. Frederick Pike Winchester, VA
Old Cedar Farmstead
U.S. 522 North Winchester, VA
Shenandoah Seasonal
1390 Welltown Road Clear Brook, VA
West Oaks Farm Market
4305 Middle Road Winchester, VA
Willow Moon Farm
1570 Ebenezer Church Road Gore, VA
Blogs articles such as this are made possible through our Bumper Crop partners like Shenandoah Seasonal. For more information on supporting our work at Frederick County Homesteaders or becoming a Bumper Crop Partner visit FrederickCountyHomesteaders.com/partnership or, consider supporting our partners in agriculture. Happy Homesteading!
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