Community-supported agriculture (CSA) projects allow members to purchase a share of produce from a local farm. Members pay upfront for their share and receive weekly boxes of fruits and vegetables throughout the growing season. Participating in a CSA provides access to fresh, local food while supporting farmers and the local economy. Churches can get involved by hosting CSA drop-off points, purchasing shares for members or food pantries, and organizing events to promote local food and farmers.

1. More information:
ASAP provides a print and online guide to local food and CSAs in Western NC: www.buyappalachian.org
Carolina Farm Stewardship Association provides a print and an online guide to local food and organic farms
in North Carolina: localfood.carolinafarmstewards.org/browse.php
Know Your Farmer is regarded as the most accessible and diverse CSA program in the greater Charlotte area:
www.knowyourfarms.com
Local Harvest offers a national listing of farms with CSA programs: www.localharvest.org/csa/
NC Choices connects consumers with sustainably-raised meats in NC: www.ncchoices.com/meat-buying-clubs
Share the Harvest: A Citizens Guide to Community Supported Agriculture, by Elizabeth Henderson and
Robyn Van En, examines the economic and community benefits of this model: www.chelseagreen.com
Community-Supported Agriculture
The Come to the Table Project: People of Faith Relieving Hunger and Supporting Local Agriculture in NC
What is a CSA?
Community-supportedagricultureprojects(orCSAs)allowmembers
to buy a share of the produce from a local farm. CSA members
typically pay the farmer a lump sum in the spring and receive a box
of fresh fruit and vegetables every week during the growing season.
Some CSA farms invite members to work a few hours on the fa
Why participate in a CSA?
• access fresh, healthy, sustainably grown produce, meats, eggs, and
cheeses
• offer farmers security by investing in the farm at the beginning
of every growing season
• keep your food dollars in your community
• get to know the people who grow your food
How can churches participate?
• offer your church building as a drop-off point for CSA boxes
• buy shares as a group and distribute produce to members
• buy shares for low-income families or the local food pantry
• have a local food church dinner or potluck and invite your
CSA farmer to be the guest of honor
• buddy up new CSA members and experienced folks to share
recipes, meals, and rides to the drop-off point
RAFI-USA | PO Box 640 | Pittsboro, NC 27312 | 919.259.5169 | www.rafiusa.org/cttt