What is a CSA?
Community Supported Agriculture is a farm model where members pay the farmer at the beginning of the season, then they are provided with a selection of the harvest over the course of the growing season, generally June through October. The farm offers “shares” that last for a certain number of months and entitle members to a specified amount of farm goods, usually distributed each week.

Consumers become CSA members by paying an agreed amount at the beginning of the growing season, either in one lump sum or in installments. The annual cost depends on the length of the harvest season and the variety and quantity of products provided. This upfront payment helps buy the seed and other inputs needed for the season and provides the farmer with an immediate income to begin the season.

Some CSA programs allow consumers to customize their weekly share. Consumers either pick up their purchases from a pick-up point or the farm, or they may have them delivered to their workplace or home.

CSA membership signup for the summer season typically starts during the winter months. Some CSAs operate year-round, focusing on things like root crops, micro greens and herbs in the winter months. Some CSA farms require or invite members to share in the labor.

How CSAs Originated

The CSA concept originated in Japan in the 1960s by a group of women concerned with the use of pesticides, the increase in processed and imported food, and the loss of farmers and farmland.  By the early 1970s, farmers and consumers in several European countries, concerned about the industrialization of their food system, created the CSA model that we know today (Roos, 2025).  The earliest CSAs established in the United States date back to 1984 in Massachusetts.  They originally began as organic and sustainable agriculture but have since evolved.

For over 40 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer.  The farmer offers a certain number of “shares” to the public.  Typically, the share consists of a box of freshly harvested vegetables, but other farm products may be included, such as fruits and flowers.  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.

Number of CSAs

The government does not track CSAs, so there is no official count of how many CSAs there are in the U.S.  Local Harvest has the most comprehensive directory of CSA farms, with over 4,000 listed in their directory.

At time of this publication, Michigan had approximately 125 CSAs listed on the Local Harvest site and over 50 CSAs listed on the USDA’s Local Food Directory site.  Keep in mind that farms self-report to these directories; it is likely more exist but have not listed themselves on either database.  Since the pandemic, there has been increased consumer interest in CSAs.

The Importance of Health and Local Food

To better understand how Americans are engaging with local food, Trace One – a provider of PLM software for the food and beverage industry – conducted a national survey of U.S. adults.  The survey explored shopping behaviors, attitudes toward farmers markets, and perceived benefits of buying local.  According to the Trace One April 2025 Local Food Survey, nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults say health is either extremely important (26.0%) or very important (38.4%) when making decisions about what to eat.

CSAs as a Local Food Source

Many consumers are also thinking about how the source of their food relates to their wellbeing.  When asked how often they consider where their food comes from in relation to their health, nearly half said they consider food sources always (16.6%) or often (33.3%).

The most common source of local food was supermarkets.  Farmers markets are the next most common choice with 42.9% of respondents.  Other direct-to-consumer channels were farm stands (20.4%), and a smaller share- just 4.1% – reported using community supported agriculture (CSA) programs.

Access to local food markets varies widely across the United States.  States located in New England, the Upper Midwest, and the Mountain West dominate the top of the rankings.  Farms having operations with direct-to-consumer sales, such as on-farm stores and farmers markets, brought in $2.9 billion according to the USDA (2022).  The top five states by value of total direct food sales were:

• California, $1.4 billion
• Pennsylvania, $600 million
• New York, $584 million
• Michigan, $555 million
• Maine, $342 million

While health is a major factor in food decisions, when asked to name the biggest benefit of buying local food, the most common response, cited by 38.2% of adults, was supporting local businesses.  This reflects a strong desire to keep money within the local economy and support nearby producers.

Taken together, the findings show that Americans value local food not only for its quality and health benefits but also for its role in strengthening communities and supporting small businesses.  These patterns point to a sustained interest in local sourcing, with implications for retailers, policymakers, and producers alike.

Types of Memberships

There are a variety of ways to structure membership shares; each farm has its own system.

• How often – weekly and every other week
• Varying sizes – small (1-2 people), medium, and large (family)
• Seasonal – summer (8-12 weeks), fall (6-8 weeks), winter/spring (4 weeks)
• Trial memberships – opportunities to “try out” a CSA for a limited number of weeks

Customer Choice Options

Growing in popularity are CSA options where consumers choose what they want rather than everyone receiving the same weekly box.  A farm may allow customers to choose what they want from a set number of produce items based on the size of their share.  The number of items, like how many tomatoes, may be set also depending on the harvest and number of shares to be fulfilled.  Produce that families are not interested in can be left behind for others or set aside in a special donation area for food banks.

Customers might also be allowed to pick some of their own produce from special gardens, herb gardens, fields, or orchard areas.

Sometimes, farms offer “add-on” items for purchase that can be added to the CSA box.  These may include additional produce, u-pick options, meat, eggs, dairy products, baked goods, jams, jellies, or flower options.

Source of the Food

The items are grown on the CSA farm but sometimes, the shares are supplemented with locally grown produce from other (trusted) farms and growers.  The benefits are an increased diversity of products, reduced risks in quantity for delivery, and one-stop shopping for the consumer.  The drawbacks are extra labor, extra recordkeeping, and increased costs.

To offer products from other farms, you would need to consider:

• Adjustment of share prices
• Partnership with local farms
• Maintaining philosophy of CSA (and your standards)
• Delivery schedules and storage
• Liability

Collaborative Models.  Some farms may want to team up to offer a single CSA combining products from both (or more) farms.  This works well if the farms have different products like vegetables, eggs, baked goods, dairy.  The advantage is the shared responsibility by the participating farms though financial arrangements may be trickier.  Consumers may like it as they get a wider range of products.  Drawbacks are the challenge of dominant branding and whether the customer knows which farm the product is from.

Sources: North Carolina State University Extension, National Center for Appropriate Technology

Other Membership Options

• Workplace CSAs – subsidized/discounted by employer, delivered to the workplace
• Work shares – consumer agrees to work at the farm for a specified amount of hours, either in the fields or packaging and distribution.  Note: all applicable labor laws must be met.
• Meat CSAs – limited to meat products grown by the farm
• Processing CSAs – excess or imperfect produce for canning, freezing, processing
• Whole Diet CSAs – shares that contain produce, meats, eggs, cheese, bakery, and more, typically most products a person needs for the week.

Distribution Models

There are a variety of distribution systems for CSAs.

• Pickup Locations – the farm, specified pickup locations, farmer’s market, workplace, or sometimes delivered to a residence
• Pickup Windows – customers may be able to pick up their box on more than one day to add to the convenience
• Most farms strive to use reusable packaging materials like totes, bags, and boxes.  Sometimes customers are asked to bring their own containers.

Concept of Shared Risk

When a consumer buys in to a CSA, they are also buying in to the shared risk of farming.  The weather (or lack of) cannot be easily managed, and sometimes pests and diseases take their toll.  In most CSAs, farmers do their best to provide an abundant box of produce each week.  If things are slim, members are not typically reimbursed.  The result is a feeling of “we’re all in this together”.

CSA members may be asked to sign an agreement indicating that they are willing to accept whatever the farm can produce without complaint.  Members are expected to contribute their share price no matter what the season brings.  The farmer will grow crops only for a specified period to the best of their ability, and members agree to share the risk.  Farmers are loyal to their subscribers and will try to honor this commitment.  Some farms experiencing catastrophic losses may be able to refund their members based on crop insurance payments.

CSA producers usually grow a variety of produce items knowing that sometimes a crop fails.  Hopefully, there are enough successful crops to cover this loss.  Members pay the same price whether the onions failed that year or not.

Some consumers may feel it is not worth the risk.  For these individuals, shopping from a farmer’s market or farm stand may be a better option.

The Philosophy of a CSA

The roots of a CSA are in the relationship that is built between the producer and consumer.  Successful CSAs also build on relationships between members, and the camaraderie and sense of community.

Core Foundation.  CSAs were originally founded on a relationship between the producer and the consumer.  In 1985, CSA pioneer Robyn Van En wrote that the CSA embodied the principle of “local food for local people at a fair price to them and a fair wage to the growers.  The members’ annual commitment to pay their share of the production costs and to share the risk as well as the bounty set this apart from any other agricultural initiative.” (Teaching Direct Marketing, 2015).

Advantages to the Farmer

• Get to spend time marketing early in the year, before the growing season begins
• Receive payment early in the season, which helps with the farm’s cash flow
• Predictable revenue
• Subscribers share in the potential risk of farming
• Enables the farmer to plan and manage the farm better
• Encourages crop diversification
• Have an opportunity to get to know the people who are interested in your farm products
• Strengthening community relationships

Advantages to the Consumer

• May be cost effective
• Direct connection to their food’s production
• Fresh, quality food
• Exposure to new food products
• Agricultural education
• Opportunity to visit the farm and feel connected with it
• Develop a relationship with the producer and other subscribers

Disadvantages to the Farmer

• Need for high crop diversity
• Weather vulnerability
• Time spent on increased communication with consumers
• Managing consumer expectations
• Coordinating the harvest schedule
• Packing and managing distribution
• Burnout
• Competition from grocery stores and online providers

Disadvantages to the Consumer

• Not enough variety
• Sometimes too many vegetables
• Not knowing what to do with some items

Sources: Local Harvest.org, National Agricultural Law Center, National Center for Appropriate Technology

What are Some Common Characteristics of Producers?

A national survey conducted by the University of Kentucky (Woods, et al, 2017) found more producers were female (60%) than male (40%).  The age distribution was: Age 18-24 (2%); Age 25-34 (31%); Age 35-44 (5%); Age 45-54 (28%); Age 55-64 (26%); Age 65+(8%).  Nearly 75% hold a bachelor’s or graduate education degree, and over 26% have been in business for over 10 years.

Considerations for Producers

Growing and harvesting the right amount of produce to fulfill members with their share, week after week, requires an advanced set of skills.  It is not like having surplus produce, it requires advance planning.  Farmers still need to spend time marketing, plus recruiting and maintaining their customer data.  Those with CSAs say it is not for beginners.  Having to balance production of a wide variety of crops with managing a customer base is challenging.  Most who do it well have been vegetable growers for years or have been involved with an established CSA.

Questions to Ask Yourself

• How do I feel about dealing directly with customers or members?
• Do I have the time for customer engagement and interaction?
• What production practices will I need to change?
• Am I willing to produce the necessary variety of crops?
• How much production will be needed to support the CSA?
• Do I have enough labor to operate the CSA?
• Do I have enough time to oversee and manage a CSA?
• Am I well organized?

Questions You Might be Asked About Your CSA

Local Harvest recommends being prepared to answer the following questions from prospective customers who are considering your CSA.

• How long have you been farming?
• How long have you been doing a CSA?
• Will there be items in the box grown by other farms, and if so, which farms?
• How did the last season go?
• How many members do you have?
• What percentage of the food you deliver annually is grown on your farm?
• Are any food items organic or grown using organic practices?
• Do you have references to contact?

Characteristics of a Typical Member

CSA operators say that members generally are supportive and grateful and have respect for the efforts of the farmer. Many members like to cook or prepare home meals and are willing to try new vegetables. They also accept the notion of shared risk with the farmer for the growing season.

Some are conscious of food waste and want less wasteful alternatives. They are willing to accept produce that doesn’t meet the supermarket perfection standards.  Some find paying a fixed cost that is outside inflation or economic fluctuations attractive.  

Members may also be people who are concerned about how food is grown, are active in or support their local food systems, vegetarians, or have chemical sensitivities. Some are just pressed for time and welcome the convenience of receiving a box of fresh produce items each week.

What are Members Looking For?

Below are some member preferences. 

• Members prefer the traditional, basic, and familiar veggies they are accustomed to buying (small amounts of exotic produce are welcome!)
• Fruit is in high demand
• Most members do not favor large quantities each week – members sometimes drop out of CSAs because they feel overwhelmed by the amount of vegetables
• Members generally prefer wide variety rather than a large quantity
• High-quality, clean produce
• Customizable shares that fit their personal needs
• Convenience and options in pickup and scheduling 
• CSAs that communicate efficiently, timely, and digitally

Sources: North Carolina State University Extension, Vegetable Grower’s News

Some farmers have successful CSA programs while others note the difficulty in managing one.  CSAs typically are only part of a farm’s annual revenue, and there is more competition for local food sourcing than in past years.  The main issue that keeps members from returning the following year is lack of choice in their shares (how structured) or products (Prial, 2019). 

According to the National Center for Appropriate Technology, CSAs need to continue to diversify and specialize.  Farmers will need to get creative with more variations to the traditional model.  They will need to incorporate more opportunities for consumer choice – such as structuring their CSAs around a market-style pick-up.  Using CSA management software offers opportunity for members to customize their boxes before pickup, choosing the products they want.

As individual CSAs diversify and compete with national companies for the same market base, it will become more important to show off what makes the model unique.  CSAs provide customers with unique relationships to the farm and farmer, and firsthand information on where their food comes from.