The What and Why CSA Page

Per freshman composition 101, I am resisting starting this primer in CSA modeling with a question: "what is a CSA?" or a definition, "A CSA program is...." Maybe I should start from the (my) beginning which is a voyeur's perspective on CSAs, fresh, local, organic, certified, etc. Despite my geographic and largely agrarian locale as a tyke, southern Lancaster County, I grew up on microwaved hot dogs, Jif (because Mom was choosy), Hamburger Helper, Vlasic pickles, soda, Sunbeam white bread, and conventional celery with said Jif. We bought produce from the grocery store--the bigger and more perfect looking, the better, the healthier, the something-superlative-and-good. You can imagine my surprise when I started learning about food politics, systems, and ethics.

So, why CSA?


By choosing to participate in our Community Supported Agriculture program, you make a very powerful commitment to purchase Certified Organic produce that positively impacts our local economy, personal health, and planet. Let's peruse some of the many reasons that it CSA participation is a great idea:

Eat Healthy: Our produce is some of the most nutrient-dense that Lancaster County has to offer! By purchasing a CSA share, you ensure that you and family make a commitment to consuming fresh, local Certified Organic vegetables for up to 33 weeks out of the year. Increasing your daily intake of fresh produce is proven to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, and Type II Diabetes, as well as providing you with a noticeable boost in energy.

Eat Seasonally: At the grocery store, all vegetables are fruits are made available to us at all times of the year. Our shareholders enjoy being reconnected with the tradition of eating vegetables and fruits when they are in season and at their freshest.


Expand Your Taste Buds: One of the benefits of joining a cooperative is that your CSA share is sure to be packed with variety, as each of our 80+ member farmers enjoys growing unique heirloom vegetable and fruit varieties. Toward the end of the season, many shareholders also confess that they learned to love a vegetable or two that they may never have tried on their own.



Build Community: Once a week, shareholders pick up their CSA shares at a convenient pick up location. Over the season, they meet neighbors, make friends, and develop relationships with one another.

Save Money: At the grocery store, Certified Organic produce is often marked up 50 to 150%, and much of it isn’t even local! Because the CSA model connects consumers directly with farmers, the price of each item in a share is comparable to wholesale pricing.

Reduce Your Food Miles: In the U.S., food travels an average of 1,500 miles from farm to plate, accounting for a large portion of the nation’s total carbon emissions. Unlike the vegetables that you find in the grocery store, which are chemically treated to withstand weeks of travel time, the vegetables that you’ll find in your CSA share are delivered 24-48 hours after harvesting. LFFC also delivers exclusively to areas within a 150 mile radius.

Reduce Your Trips to the Grocery Store: Something that makes our CSA program unique is the option for shareholders to participate in the Coop Store, our online buying club. Through this program, CSA members can order additional items (such as milk, eggs, meat, etc.) to be delivered each week with their CSA shares!

Support Sustainable, Humane Animal Husbandry Practices: Should you choose to purchase animal products through the Coop Store or any of our meat shares, you can be sure that LFFC is committed to the strictest animal husbandry practices. All animal products offered through the Co-op come from pastured, humanely-raised animals.

Support Family Farms: The CSA model helps to keep organic farming a viable way of life for small-scale family farms that are increasingly threatened by agribusiness. LFFC member farmers farm an average of five acres.

Carry on a Tradition: Farming is a tradition in many Lancaster County families, and has been inherited by the majority of LFFC member farmers. By purchasing a CSA share, you ensure that this rich tradition can be passed on to future generations, which is a great legacy.

Support Sustainable Farming Practices: LFFC member farms are 100% Certified Organic. We pride ourselves on our strict standards, excellent records of all activities on the land, and our highly maintained and enriched soil.

Photo Credits: Veggie share, heirloom veggies, milk/eggs, pork, pigs, and field all from CSA files. All other photos, thanks are due to Google.