Community-supported agriculture (CSA) in Tampa Bay

Published by julia | Filed under Miscellaneous, Pinellas County Homes, Shout Outs

Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is a somewhat new model of farming and food distribution in the U.S.  It originated in the early 1960s in Germany, Switzerland, and Japan as a response to concerns about food safety and the urbanization of agricultural land.

The idea took root in the United States in 1984 to promote fresh, locally grown food and foster social and ecological responsibility. Since that time, community supported farms have been organized throughout North America and it is now estimated that there are 3,000 farms in existence.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s online Natural Agricultural Library, “a CSA consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation.” This establishes a direct partnership between farmers and consumers, allowing members to share the risks and rewards of farming while enjoying a sense of responsibility for sustainability.  The focus of a CSA is generally on the production of high quality foods using organic farming methods. The operation requires a high level of involvement of consumers resulting in a stronger than usual consumer-producer relationship.

Families and individuals become CSA members by paying a seasonal fee, which entitles them to a share of the weekly harvest.  Members do not pay for a specific amount per pound of produce, but rather support the budget of the whole farm and receive weekly what is seasonally ripe. This approach eliminates the marketing risks and costs for the producer and an enormous amount of time. There is little to no loss in this system, since the producers know in advance who they are growing for and how much to grow.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services breaks down production county by county on its related website, www.Florida-Agriculture.com. For instance, livestock, greenhouses, and fruit, vegetable and citrus crops dominate Sarasota County, while adjacent Manatee County, ranks second in seafood production and cultivates a wide variety of fruit and vegetables and even more livestock. Citrus Country ranks third in seafood and supports some livestock and citrus. Polk County grows produce and livestock and is home to more bee colonies than any other Bay area county.

CSA’s have taken root in the Tampa Bay area. For example, in Hillsborough County, Sweetwater Farm is located on 6 acres of suburban property along the Sweetwater Creek in Tampa’s Town ‘n’ Country neighborhood. Their share typically includes 10-15 different items including salad greens, cooking greens, root vegetables, herbs, vegetables, and occasionally, fruits and fills 2-4 grocery bags.  The best way to get an idea of what a typical share might look like is to go to one of their Sweetwater Sunday Farmers’ Markets, open to the public Sundays 12-4pm, November through May. There you can shop at their organic produce stand and check out the barn area where members pick up their shares.

Pinellas County, supports over 900,000 square feet of greenhouse space, just under 40 acres of citrus, and a little poultry and apiculture (bees).  Pinellas now has its own CSA venture, Gateway Organic Farm, which raised its membership capacity from last year’s 40 to 75 for their second growing season beginning in November 2008. They are located near the junction of U.S. 19 and Ulmerton Road in Clearwater.

CSA Membership affords access to the freshest possible organic produce, while supporting local, sustainable, healthy agriculture. The close proximity of the farm to the members also helps the environment by reducing pollution caused by transporting the produce. Over a period of time, consumers get to know who is producing their food, and what production methods are used. Some CSA’s have evolved into social enterprises employing a number of local staff, improving the lot of local farmers and educating the local community about organic/ecologically responsible farming.