On March 20, a 2nd annual event providing community members the opportunity to meet area farmers offering CSA shares for the 2010 growing season will be held from 12:30 to 4:00 pm at the Community Building at 35 W Main in Spokane, WA. The purpose of the event is to give community members/customers the chance to ‘shop’ various options for purchasing locally grown and raised foods in 2010.
In the CSA model, customers purchase a ‘share’ of the harvest from a producer which comes in the form of regular installments across the duration of a growing season. Usually on a weekly basis, a collection of food will be available for pick up or delivery. These installments can include fresh vegetables, fruits, eggs, dairy products, meat and more.
Cost, portion size, type of products offered and duration of share can vary. All of these things depend on the particular desires and needs of a producer and CSA members. Also varying between CSAs include how and where regular share installments are passed on to shareholders, as well as share member involvement in the farm (some CSAs simply pass on produce to share members, others offer opportunities to visit the farm or participate in the management of the CSA). The CSA model finds its roots in being ‘community supported’: the model aims to more deeply connect and engage producers and eaters.
With the diversity of options in mind, Spokane Tilth has organized the Inland Northwest Community Supported Agriculture Association (INCSAA) to create a network of relationships which will help match producers and customers to find a ‘best fit’ option. The Mar. 20 event is part of a series of ‘meet and greet’ opportunities during which interested community members can learn about the many options as they consider selecting a specific CSA program.
INCSAA will also offers a series of workshops and other support efforts to assist producers in developing successful and sustainable CSA operations, along with education opportunities for community members.
CSA producers involved in INCSAA farm across the greater Inland Northwest area; INCSAA intends to promote and organize efforts which will connect producers and consumers across this region and throughout the Inland Northwest.