SA is an integral component of the local food movement as it involves direct exchanges
between consumers and producers through membership agreements. The consumer shares the
risk of the farming operation with producers by paying an upfront fee to receive weekly shares of
the harvest while providing the farmer means to cover production costs. Consumers also benefit
by receiving fresh, nutritious, and organic food at a lower cost than a comparable product at
retail prices. Thus, the CSA system addresses issues of food quality and environmental
sustainability, which are becoming increasingly important in today’s world (Larsen and Gilliland
2009: 1158).