A gift certificate from a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm can provide a year of fresh produce and other local foods. Both the person who receives fresh food and a local farmer benefit from your thoughtful gift!
In a CSA, a farmer contracts with other people in the community to provide them with a portion of the year’s harvest. Customers pay the farmer in advance, before the produce season begins, which allows the farmer to buy necessary seed, fertilizer, fuel and other inputs necessary to farm for the year.
CSA members might meet a farmer at a drop-off site in the community, go to the farm to pick up their shares, or even have the box delivered right to their doorsteps, depending on the farm. Customers may be able to request eggs, milk and other local foods.
Find CSA farms offering gift certificates, or just purchase the share and make your own certificate. The holiday season coincides with the time that most CSA farmers start contracting with customers for the next year. Just check the farm’s site for CSA start dates and more information about the farm.
A directory of Tennessee CSAs and farmers markets where CSA farms bring produce are listed at the Pick Tennessee site,www.PickTnProducts.org.