CSA stands for Community-Supported Agriculture, which is a system that connects producers and consumers within the food system by allowing the consumer to subscribe to the harvest of a certain farm or group of farms. In a CSA, a community of individuals pledges support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the communitys farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production. The term CSA is mostly used in the United States, Canada, and the UK, but similar production and economic sub-systems are in use worldwide and in Austria and Germany as Solidarische Landwirtschaft ("solidarity farming").

CSAs generally focus on the production of high-quality foods for a local community, often using organic or biodynamic farming methods, and a shared risk membership–marketing structure. Members choose to provide financial support to farmers, thereby sharing the risks inherent in agricultural work. By paying at the beginning of the season, CSA members share in the risk of production and relieve the farmer of much of the time needed for marketing. This allows the farmer to concentrate on good land stewardship and growing high-quality food.

CSAs create direct connections between producers and consumers through alternative markets, and the members and farmers share the risk of farming. The goals of the first CSA model in the US were to have the producer and consumer come into the market as equals and make an exchange with fair prices and fair wages. CSAs operate based on principles of solidarity, mutuality, and sustainability.

CSAs have many benefits, including:

• Access to fresh, high-quality produce: Members receive weekly shares of food from a certain farm or group of farms, which can include fruits, vegetables, herbs, and sometimes meat, eggs, or dairy products.

• Supporting local farmers: By joining a CSA, members support local farmers and help them stay on their land.

• Building community: CSAs create a sense of community by connecting members with each other and with the farmers who grow their food.

• Environmental benefits: CSAs often use organic or biodynamic farming methods, which can have environmental benefits such as reducing the use of pesticides and promoting soil health.

However, there are also some potential drawbacks to joining a CSA, such as:

• Limited choice: Members receive whatever produce is in season and available from the farm, which may not always align with their preferences or dietary needs.

• Risk of crop failure: Members share in the risk of...