FAQ - What is a CSA and Why Should You Join One?
COMMUNITY SUPPORTED APOTHECARY
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COMMUNITY SUPPORTED APOTHECARY 〰️
CSA STands for community supported agriculture or apothecary
BY AMY LUPTON
What is a CSA?
CSA is most well known for its acronym meaning Community Supported Agriculture.
The National Agricultural Library defines CSA as a "community of individuals who pledge support to a farm through purchasing shares of the farms production, whether it be food, produce, or other products made by the farm itself.”
A newer meaning to CSA is Community Supported Apothecary. This is defined as, “a fresh & seasonal focused apothecary being supported through the community (local or at large). This apothecary offers seasonal offerings and harvests that are consumed either medicinally or culinarily. A Community Supported Apothecary also provides educational opportunities to a collective, so they may learn and grow in herbalism for the home or family.
What are the benefits of joining a CSA?
Because you are dealing with direct to farmer/grower/maker to consumer, you know where it came from and all the steps it took to get to you.
A CSA provides access to fresh, nutritious, and diverse farm and apothecary products, medicinal botanicals, and goods.
A CSA supports a farm or apothecary and the upfront costs incurred by member investment in upcoming harvests.
Provides fair market value through direct sales
Helps support your local or niche economy (voting with your dollars).
CSA makes a positive impact on the environment, especially when compared to industrial/commercial products and farms. CSA’s are great for those looking for an alternative, potentially better, way to source their food, herbs & body products.
CSA is a powerful investment in your health! When you are using fresh herbs, produce and products grown in the correct season and with care and love, your body responds favorably. Many studies have proven that fresh grown herbs and produce have many times more vitamins, minerals and enzymes.
What are the drawbacks of a CSA?
There really isn’t! 😊 But of all the CSA’s around, you could say the only drawback is if you aren’t open to new things. A challenge might come in a vegetable you aren’t used to cooking with, an herb you haven’t used before, a new plant to grow, or trying a new botanical medicine. Rather than looking at it negatively, think of it as an opportunity to try something new and highly nutritious.
If you aren’t sure how to use your harvest you have received, always ask! There are so many ideas to explore with each herb, botanical and food and you can be sure your maker/grower has lots of ideas to share!
How does the Liferoot CSA work?
We are not your traditional homestead or farm. 😊 We grow a lot, but we also make a lot with what is local, fresh and seasonal. We believe in using harvests in their peak season to match with what the body needs. We are super picky on quality, and make sure we operate as such in a CSA realm.
CSAs are Purchased in SHARES:
What is a “share”:
In the context of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), a "share" refers to a membership or subscription that individuals or families purchase from a local farm or apothecary. This share entitles the member to receive a portion of the farm's harvest throughout the growing season. The share concept is central to CSAs as it represents a direct relationship between consumers and local farmers, supporting sustainable agriculture and providing members with a source of fresh, seasonal food and goods.
Liferoot offers monthly shares (in the growing seasons..make sure to sign up for our newsletter HERE to get all the details). You can purchase our LOCAL CSA or a SHIPPED CSA.
Liferoot CSA will consists of:
Herbs and herbal products (think medicinal seasonal support)
Local farm goods (think veggies, honey, sourdough bread, eggs, garden plants)
Beauty/body care (think salves, soaps, balms).
Local and Shipped Options Available:
We will have shares available for people locally and non-local which will be shipped (the box contents might look a bit different), and will match your needs via price point.
We offer local classes, as well as education online. If you have ever been a part of a CSA, you know how special and amazing it is to share in harvest and bounty with a farm or company.
