Community Supported Agriculture, CSA for short, has been gaining momentum since it’s introduction to the United States from Europe in the 1980’s and is a great way for city dwellers to get direct access to fresh and local food.  Generally, members (also referred to as share-holders) purchase “shares” of food in advance to cover some of the costs of farming and in return, receive boxes of produce throughout the season.  Shares of vegetables and some fruits and meats are most commonly offered and often full and half shares are offered, to accommodate the number of people in your household.

The below list of benefits is a combination of  fun facts from the Montalbano Farms website and the Just Food site.  We think this list does a nice job of summarizing and if we’re missing any awesome benefits, let us know and we’ll add it!

We’d also like to thank Family Farmed, Local Harvest and the USDA for providing some of the CSA information on this page and for all they contribute to the local food community.

Buy Local
Your support helps small local farms stay afloat.  Connect with the food you eat by meeting your farmers and exploring the farms.

Eat Well
Buy the freshest food for your family.  Explore new foods and learn to cook with them.  Find out that beet greens aren’t just good for you, they’re tasty too!  All of the vegetables, herbs, and fruit arrives within days of harvest. Fresh food means more nutritious food that lasts longer in your refrigerator and tastes better at dinnertime.

Be Healthy
Eat more fresh vegetables and fruit.  Share healthy eating habits with your kids.  Expose them early to a variety of regional produce.

Protect the Environment
Support farmers who take care of their land by growing food in ways that take care of the soil.  Cut down on the number of miles your food travels from the farm to your plate.

It’s for the Budget Minded
Feel free to compare our prices for locally grown, organic produce with anyone else in town. You’ll find it’s less expensive than the grocery stores and yet he high quality far surpasses what they put on the shelf. By buying in bulk, CSA members receive at least a 10% discount on market stand prices.

Angelic Organics (Caledonia, IL)
Chicago Pick up locations @ shareholders houses in Bucktown, Hyde Park, Lakeview, Logan Square, Uptown, Rogers Park

Genesis Growers (St. Ann, IL)
Chicago Pick up location @ Chicago Center of Natural Healing 1622 W. Devon

Growing Home (Marseilles, IL)
Chicago Pick Up Location @ Green City Market, Growing Home Administrative Offices (2732 N Clark Street)

Radical Root Farm (Grayslake, IL)
Chicago Pick Up Location @ Logan Square Farmers Market

Peasants Plot (Manteno, IL)
Chicago Pick Up Location @ Wicker Park Farmers Market and Lincoln Square Farmers Market

Cedar Valley Sustainable Farm (Year Round (meat) Ottowa, IL)
Chicago Pick Up Location @ Logan Square Farmers Market, Blue Moon Coffee House (Beverly), Provenence (Lincoln Square)

Big Head Farm (South Haven, MI)
Chicago Pick Up Location @ Southport Green Market

Fat Blossom (Allegan, MI)
Chicago Pick Up Location @ Lush Wine and Spirits 1257 S. Halsted

Harvest Moon Organics (Viroqua, WI)
Multiple Chicago Pick Up Locations in Edgewater (Uncommon Ground 1401 West Devon Ave), Roscoe Village (LUSH 2232 W Roscoe St), West Town (LUSH 1412 West Chicago Ave) and Lakeview (Uncommon Ground 3800 North Clark St)

Heritage Prairie Farm (Elburn, IL)
Chicago Pick Up Locations @ Bespoke Cuisine, 1358 W Randolph Street Chicago Green City Market, Lincoln Park, Chopping Block, 4747 N Lincoln Ave, City Provisions, 1818 West Wilson Avenue, Chicago

Mike and Clare Farm (Woodstock, IL)
Chicago Pick Up Location @ Logan Square Farmers Market

Montalbano Farms (Plano, IL)
Chicago Pick Up Location @ Logan Square Farmers Market

Tempel Farms Organics (Old Mill Creek, IL)
Chicago Pick Up Location @ Logan Square Farmers Market

Triple A Farms (St. Anne, IL)
Chicago Pick Up Locations @ Andersonville Farmers Market, Logan Square Farmers Market

Grass Is Greener Gardens (Monroe, WI – meat)
Chicago Pick Up Locations @ Lakeview and Hyde Park shareholders homes

Mint Creek Farms (Stelle, IL – meat)
Chicago Pick Up Locations @ Green City Market and Logan Square Farmers Market

Videnovich Farms (Bridgeman, MI)
Hyde Park Art Center – Wednesdays

Know of a CSA we’re missing?  Please let us know by visiting our forum or by contacting us!