Innovation
One operator ran a year-round program that afforded her several perceived benefits.
Excess harvest, or harvest before the CSA season had begun was a non-issue for her as storage
permitted a steady, year round supply for customers. This method also alleviated some
marketing concerns: she felt she was better able to retain customers due to them being
constantly involved in the program, and did not have to re-market to her own customers the
following season. She was also afforded steady income throughout the year, rather than it
being concentrated to a particular part of the growing season.
The close proximity of farmland to the urban centres of the Tri-Cities allows for one
farmer to distribute her shares from the farm itself. In her opinion, the fact that consumers can
visit the location that the food is produced and gain an appreciation for and familiarity with that
land has helped to facilitate a stronger connection to the growing process and producer.
Another CSA offered pick-up locations in town, which, according to this farmer, fostered
a sense of connection with the community and the farmer as well as being convenient for the
customers. This farmer also offered days on which customers can visit the farm with their
children and volunteer. The customers can gain an understanding of the farming practices and
the effort involved in growing the produce. Furthermore, children are encouraged to learn
about where their food comes from and how it grows.
One of the operators indicated that CSAs tend to attract higher income families due to
the high cost associated with locally grown organic food. This raises questions about
accessibility and affordability of the locally grown produce. This operator explained that she
created a fund to subsidize shares for those who cannot afford the cost of the shares. The
operator found it difficult to find the right people willing to donate to this fund.
Another operator created a program called Grow Your Own Garden. Customers can
make suggestions as to what they want in their shares. If there is enough interest in a particular
food the crop is grown on the farm and included in the share. This CSA benefits because they
can better understand what produce their customers prefer to see in the shares and connects
the farmer with the customers.
Finally, it was explained that the CSA operators in the Waterloo region are connected.
For various reasons, a farmer can choose to buy produce off of another CSA in the region. For
example, if a farmer cannot provide a certain food item to its customers because the crop did
not grow well, the farmer can buy that crop from another CSA operator. While this method
does not guarantee the farmer will benefit economically, it is often used as a last resort to
ensure the customers stay with the CSA the next season. Furthermore, operators that are only
10
open seasonally will send customers to year round CSAs during the winter. The customer can
buy shares for the winter season at the year round CSA and return to the seasonal CSA during
the spring and summer. One operator stated that she ensured that the consumers would return
to their typical CSA program, and would not take them on as her own customers
InnovationOne operator ran a year-round program that afforded her several perceived benefits.Excess harvest, or harvest before the CSA season had begun was a non-issue for her as storagepermitted a steady, year round supply for customers. This method also alleviated somemarketing concerns: she felt she was better able to retain customers due to them beingconstantly involved in the program, and did not have to re-market to her own customers thefollowing season. She was also afforded steady income throughout the year, rather than itbeing concentrated to a particular part of the growing season.The close proximity of farmland to the urban centres of the Tri-Cities allows for onefarmer to distribute her shares from the farm itself. In her opinion, the fact that consumers canvisit the location that the food is produced and gain an appreciation for and familiarity with thatland has helped to facilitate a stronger connection to the growing process and producer.Another CSA offered pick-up locations in town, which, according to this farmer, fostereda sense of connection with the community and the farmer as well as being convenient for thecustomers. This farmer also offered days on which customers can visit the farm with theirchildren and volunteer. The customers can gain an understanding of the farming practices andthe effort involved in growing the produce. Furthermore, children are encouraged to learnabout where their food comes from and how it grows.One of the operators indicated that CSAs tend to attract higher income families due tothe high cost associated with locally grown organic food. This raises questions aboutaccessibility and affordability of the locally grown produce. This operator explained that shecreated a fund to subsidize shares for those who cannot afford the cost of the shares. Theoperator found it difficult to find the right people willing to donate to this fund.Another operator created a program called Grow Your Own Garden. Customers canmake suggestions as to what they want in their shares. If there is enough interest in a particularfood the crop is grown on the farm and included in the share. This CSA benefits because theycan better understand what produce their customers prefer to see in the shares and connectsthe farmer with the customers.Finally, it was explained that the CSA operators in the Waterloo region are connected.For various reasons, a farmer can choose to buy produce off of another CSA in the region. Forexample, if a farmer cannot provide a certain food item to its customers because the crop didnot grow well, the farmer can buy that crop from another CSA operator. While this methoddoes not guarantee the farmer will benefit economically, it is often used as a last resort toensure the customers stay with the CSA the next season. Furthermore, operators that are only10open seasonally will send customers to year round CSAs during the winter. The customer canbuy shares for the winter season at the year round CSA and return to the seasonal CSA duringthe spring and summer. One operator stated that she ensured that the consumers would returnto their typical CSA program, and would not take them on as her own customers
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