When living in an apartment, and especially a temporary furnished apartment, it is near impossible to find a place for home gardening. While your desire for fresh and local produce would be met perfectly by your own home organic garden, there are other ways to meet the need at hand: Visiting your local farmers markets and signing up for a Community Supported Agriculture Project.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a way to directly connect farmers and consumers. The process itself is very simple:
- A farmer offers a certain number of “shares” to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included.
- Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a “membership” or a “subscription”) and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season.
Some CSA’s operate with a pick up location, while others offer a drop-off option for an additional cost. The idea of a CSA seems like a complete no-brainer. Skip the middle man and support your community farmer! By providing the farmer with the upfront capital, you will receive your return on investment throughout the harvest season. Again, seems like a no brainer!
CSA’s operate all times throughout the year, depending on the CSA. But the most popular for New England is obviously the summertime, which means, Tis the sign-up season! Stay tuned throughout the month of March to learn more about the CSA process – How it benefits the consumers & farmers, how to find one and ways it brings communities together!
Compass Furnished Apartments is committed to bringing our residents and readers simple green solutions to lead a more sustainable life. One way to do this is through community supported agriculture. By participating in a local CSA, you are not only supporting local farmers, but you are also taking major steps towards a healthier diet.
‘Tis the sign-up season, so get ahead of the game and sign up today. Check out http://www.localharvest.org/csa/ to find a CSA near you!
