Stand Up For
Your Local Farmer

A CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program is a direct partnership between local farmers and consumers. Members subscribe to receive regular boxes of fresh, seasonal produce, eggs, meat, or dairy products directly from local farms. By joining a CSA, you're pre-purchasing a 'share' of the farm's harvest, which provides farmers with stable income while giving you access to the freshest seasonal foods at better prices than retail.

Farmers markets are weekly community events where multiple local farmers gather to sell fresh produce, meats, and prepared foods directly to customers. You can shop from various vendors and choose exactly what you want. CSA programs, on the other hand, connect you with a single farm for regular deliveries of seasonal produce boxes. Each model offers unique benefits - markets provide flexibility and variety, while CSAs offer convenience and season-long farm support.

Farmers markets offer a vibrant shopping experience where you can find fresh seasonal produce, local meats, eggs, dairy products, baked goods, and artisanal foods. Each market has its own unique mix of vendors, seasonal offerings, and operating hours. Markets often feature additional attractions like cooking demonstrations, live music, and educational activities. They're great places to meet local farmers and learn about seasonal eating.

While each CSA program is unique, most run for a growing season (usually 20-25 weeks) with weekly or bi-weekly pickups. Farms generally offer different share sizes to suit various household needs. When you find an interesting CSA in our directory, we recommend contacting the farm directly to learn about their specific membership options, payment plans, pickup locations, and box customization policies.

While some markets operate year-round, peak season typically runs from late spring through early fall. Spring brings fresh greens, asparagus, and early berries. Summer peaks with tomatoes, peppers, corn, and stone fruits. Fall features apples, pumpkins, winter squash, and root vegetables. Even in off-peak seasons, many vendors offer storage crops, greenhouse produce, meats, eggs, dairy, and preserved foods.

Supporting local farmers through CSAs and farmers markets strengthens your community's food system and economy. You'll enjoy fresher, more nutritious food harvested at peak ripeness, often within 24 hours of sale. These direct-to-consumer models typically offer better value than retail prices, especially for organic and specialty products. You'll also discover unique varieties of produce and build meaningful connections with the people growing your food.

When browsing CSA programs in our directory, consider factors like share size (how much food you'll receive), delivery frequency (weekly/biweekly), season length, pickup locations, and payment options. Some CSAs specialize in vegetables, while others offer mixed shares including fruits, eggs, or other products. We recommend contacting farms directly to learn about their growing practices, typical box contents, and membership details.

Bring reusable shopping bags, cash (though many vendors now accept cards), and an insulated bag for meats or dairy products. Shopping early gives you the best selection, while end-of-market shopping might yield better deals. Consider bringing a wheeled cart for larger purchases. It's helpful to familiarize yourself with seasonal produce to know what to expect and plan your shopping accordingly.

Food co-ops and CSAs are different ways to access local food. Co-ops are community-owned grocery stores that source from multiple local farms and producers, offering year-round shopping with a wide variety of products. CSA programs, in contrast, connect you directly with a single farm for regular deliveries of seasonal produce boxes. Co-ops provide flexibility in what and when you buy, while CSAs offer a deeper connection with one farm and typically better value for seasonal produce.