Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in Northern Massachusetts
What are “CSA” programs?
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs have become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer and contribute to the sustainability of local agriculture. Here’s how it generally works: A farmer offers a certain number of “shares” to the public. Interested consumers purchase a share or half-share and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season.
This is a mutually beneficial business relationship of shared risk and shared reward. The farmer works hard to deliver a beautiful and bountiful amount of produce each week, and hopes that Mother Nature cooperates.
Visit our 2023 list of CSA shares:
CSA List – 2023
Farm Spotlight
Pepperell Farmers' MarketTown Field/Community Center,Rte 111 & Hollis StreetPepperell MA 01463
(978) 433-0162
www.pepperellfarmersmarket.com
Farmer Benefits
- Receive payment early in the season, which helps with the farm’s cash flow.
- Get to spend time marketing the food early in the year, before their 16 hour days in the field begin.
- Have an opportunity to get to know the people who eat the food they grow.
Consumer Benefits
- Eat ultra-fresh food, with all the flavor and vitamin benefits.
- Develop a relationship with the farmer who grows their food and learn more about how food is grown.
- Get exposed to new vegetables and new ways of cooking.
- Find that kids typically favor food from “their” farm – even veggies they’ve never been known to eat.
It’s a simple enough idea, but its impact has been profound. CSAs have become so popular there can be more demand than there are CSA farms to fill it.
Click here to find a CSA in Northeastern Massachusetts using Northeast Harvest’s Local Farm Map.
