This document printed from the University of Illinois Extension Knox County at http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/knox/
Definitions
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
Community Supported Agriculture consists of a community of individuals
who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes,
either legally or spiritually, the community's farm, with the growers
and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and
benefits of food production. Typically, members or "share-holders" of
the farm or garden pledge in advance to cover the anticipated costs of
the farm operation and farmer's salary. In return, they receive shares
in the farm's bounty throughout the growing season, as well as
satisfaction gained from reconnecting to the land and participating
directly in food production. Members also share in the risks of
farming, including poor harvests due to unfavorable weather or pests.
By direct sales to community members, who have provided the farmer with
working capital in advance, growers receive better prices for their
crops, gain some financial security, and are relieved of much of the
burden of marketing. Taken online from USDA, National Agricultural Library, Alternative Farming Systems Information Center.
There can be many variations to a CSA. Products received by the share-holders can vary from vegetables, fruit, eggs, meat, cheese, flowers and homemade breads. Some CSA's may offer partial shares for purchase. To find a CSA close to you, visit http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/csa/csa.shtml. Here you will find a number of online resources to help you find the CSA that works best for you.
Food security
Community food security addresses food access within a community context, for all households.
Self-reliance
Refers to the degree to which a community meets its own food needs. Increasing the degree of self-reliance for food is an important aspect of a community food system.
Sustainability
Sustainability includes environmental protection, profitability, ethical treatment of food system workers, and community development.
Externalities
Is an economic term referring to the external environmental and social costs related to food production, processing, storage, and distribution which are seldom accounted for in the price we pay for food at the grocery store.
