Consumers buy ‘shares,’ get fresh local produce
Fort Wayne News Sentinel
By Lauren Caggiano
Local consumers have discovered another way to avoid the middleman when it comes to buying fresh produce.
Over the last 20 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has emerged as an alternative to buying grocery store produce. In short, CSA makes it possible for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer.
The concept is founded on a transactional relationship between the consumer and the farmer. A farmer offers a certain number of “shares” of the projected crops to the public, who then become “members.” Members help pay for seeds and additional costs.
In return, the farm provides, to the best of its ability, an abundant supply of seasonal fresh produce throughout the growing season.
Most often, this consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products, like dairy items, may be included. Due to weather and things beyond the farmer’s control, the dates of produce availability are subject to change.
A ‘win-win situation’
Proponents of CSA argue it’s a win-win situation for the consumer and the farmer.
“CSAs provide a link for healthy local food between consumers and the producer,” said Ricky Kemery, horticulture educator at the Allen County office of the Purdue Cooperative Extension service. “They help the local economy by providing a ready-made market for the local small producer. This reduces the risk that farmers take when they produce a crop(s) and then have to search for places to sell their product.”
It’s also common for produce to be shipped hundreds or thousands of miles to distribution centers before ultimately ending up on the shelves of a local supermarket. Those transportation costs can be reduced if more consumers purchased local produce, Kemery said.
Finally, Kemery said CSAs help urban dwellers become re-connected with nature and learn to appreciate and understand food production.
“CSAs will have a hard time taking (the) place of supermarkets, but they are an alternative for folks who prefer local produce and want to promote a sustainable local economy,” he said.
Other benefits
For Addie Bhuiya, CSA coordinator for Graber Farms in Harlan, the difference between store-bought products and fresh-from-the farm produce is the health benefit. The farming methods that most CSA farmers follow are no-spray or organic, Bhuiya said. Ultimately, this is better for the world’s water supplies, wildlife and soil, which need to be preserved for future generations.
Another added benefit is the sense of community CSA tends to create:
“It is a really great way to get to know people that have like-minded interests,” she said.
Getting involved
Here are some of the community-supported agriculture providers in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area:
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♦Country Garden & Farm Market
Address: 1410 U.S. 24 West, Roanoke
Phone: 672-1254
Share prices: $120-$1,026
Note: Check Web site for information on discounts.
♦Goldwood Gardens
Address: 4750 W. 350 North, northwest of Columbia City
Phone: 1-260-244-6482
Share prices: $250-$450
Contact: Canda Goldwood, 1-260-244-6482
♦Graber Farms
Address: 26409 Springfield Center Road, Harlan
Phone: 657-5061
Share prices: $480-$825
Contact: Addie Bhuiya, CSA coordinator, 241-7309 or aebhuiya@ yahoo.com
Note: CSA members get a 5 percent discount off you-pick cost for produce.
♦Little Hillside CSA
Address: Delivery only
Phone: 403-3101
Share prices: $40-$75
Contact: Paul Oberly, 403-3101
Note: Due to the small size of the operation, Little Hillside currently limits memberships to 20 per year, on a first-come, first-served basis.
♦Old Loon Farm
Address: 7551 N. Brown Road, Loon Lake, north of Columbia City
Phone: 1-260-799- 4422
Web site: www.oldloonfarm.com
Share prices: $100 (fall basket) Note: Fall share starts Sept. 15.
Contact: Jane Loomis, 1-260-799-4422, [email protected]
