Community-supported agriculture (
CSA; sometimes known as
community-shared agriculture) is an alternative, locally based
economic model of
agriculture and
food distribution. A CSA also refers to a particular network or association of individuals who have pledged to support one or more local
farms, with growers and consumers sharing the risks and benefits of food production. CSA members, or
subscribers, pay at the onset of the growing season for a share of the anticipated harvest; once harvesting begins, they periodically receive shares of
produce. In addition to produce, some CSA services may include additional farm products like
honey,
eggs,
dairy,
fruit,
flowers and
meat. Some CSAs provide for contributions of labor in lieu of a portion of subscription costs.