CSA\'s in Madison, WI area.

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Eat Healthy,
Eat Local,
Get Connected
Join a CSA
By Amanda Phillips
Many local CSAs offer subscription-type Agriculture Coalition (MACSAC).
Whenonmost from. While it’snecessarily we
is
people enjoy a meal, the focus
the food, but not
where it came not often
on harvests, which include weekly or bi-monthly
offerings of products with a payment up front,
Schneider says there are many reasons to
join a CSA. “Locally grown foods taste bet-
are able to “put a face to the food we eat,” it is a commitment to work on the farm during the ter,” she says, and notes that the element of
happening more and more because local farm- growing season, or both. But mostly, CSAs freshness adds to the quality. “The food is
ers are connecting with consumers through bring communities together through farming. picked the same day as it is delivered.”
Community Supported Agriculture, or CSAs. “It’s an opportunity for many families to Staying healthy by being well-nourished
CSAs allow farmers and growers the opportu- participate in being part of a farm,”
nity to better know people in their community says Erin Schneider, coordinator of the
by offering quality food at lower costs. Madison Area Community Supported ➞
BUILDING
RELATIONSHIPS & IDEAS
KSW Construction Corporation is a Madison-area full-service general contractor.
We provide design/build and construction services for restaurant, commercial,
industrial, and retail projects with a fresh, progressive approach. Recent clients
6124 McKee Road (CTH PD) include:
Madison, WI 53719
• Noodles & Company • The North Face
P 608.271.8360 • Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. • Weir Minerals
F 608.271.8370 • Stoughton Wellness & Athletic Center • Capital Newspapers
kswconstruction.com • Joseph Freed & Associates • Sushi Muramoto
info@kswconstruction.com
[ April 2008] BusinessWatch 39

2. Insurance Rebates is another advantage of joining a CSA.
Schneider says Madison-area health insur-
Physicians Plus: www.HealthyChoicesBigRewards.com ance companies, including Group Health
GHC: www.ghc-hmo.com/csa.asp Cooperative, Unity, Dean and Physicians
Plus, offer incentives for those who belong
Dean: www.deancare.com/healthplan/shared/ComplementaryHealth to a CSA.
In all, MACSAC has 34 farms and pro-
Unity: www.unityhealth.com/HealthyU/CSAFarms vides information for members to prepare the
foods they purchase, such as recipes, storing
and canning resources. Open houses are also
held several times per year for farmers to an-
swer questions or meet prospective members
face-to-face.
“It’s a great chance to learn more about
the farms and what farming is all about,”
Schneider says.
Beth Kazmar and Steve Pincus have
been learning what farming is all about since
they moved to Wisconsin from the East
Coast. They began their CSA farm, Tipi Pro-
duce, approximately four years ago and crop
approximately 45 acres of land in Evansville.
Tipi Produce delivers nearly 500 boxes per
week to various pick-up locations throughout
southern Wisconsin.
CSAs can be as diverse as their owners.
“Each CSA farm will bring something dif-
ferent to the table,” Pincus says. And that,
quite literally, is true. While many CSAs offer
only fruits and vegetables, others offer addi-
tions such as herbs, meat, eggs, dairy, baked
goods or firewood.
Murphy’s Law: “Anything that can go wrong, will.” “Many people will typically try a few
MurphyDesmond LAW
[CSAs] before they find one they like and that
works for them,” says Pincus.
“Taking into account how much food
your family consumes and the size of your
“Consider all possibilities. Plan to succeed.” household can also make a difference in the
type of CSA that’s selected,” says Kazmar.
At Murphy Desmond S.C., we can help you prevent legal problems by providing
“Make sure the CSA is well-matched to your
sensible advice and solid planning. For all your legal needs, turn to the law firm that
family size.”
businesses and people in Wisconsin have counted on since 1931.
Kazmar also says the best way for the
• Business Law, Tax Planning, Mergers • Intellectual Property CSA-curious to become involved is to be in-
& Acquisitions • Legislative Advocacy formed. She suggests checking the MACSAC
• Creditors’ Rights & Chapter 11 • Litigation – Commercial & Civil Web site, researching for various CSA farms
Reorganizations • Municipal Law of interest online, and asking lots of ques-
• Family Law/Divorce • Real Estate, Land Use & Construction tions. “It will help families find the CSA that
• Employment & Labor Law • Health Law is the right fit,” according to Kazmar. ■
• Estate Planning & Probate • Sports & Entertainment Law
ONLINE MACSAC www.macsac.org
Consider all possibilities.TM Plan to succeed.
33 E. Main Street | Suite 500 | Madison, Wisconsin | 608.257.7181
www.murphydesmond.com
40 BusinessWatch [ April 2008]