As our eating and food purchasing habits shift and support flourishes for locally grown food and farmers, so does the manner in which we obtain our produce. A new link between farmer and consumer has developed in Hawai'i and community supported agriculture (CSA) is taking root with vigor.
CSAs are a community of individuals and consumers who pledge support to local farmers, with growers providing the benefits of their food production. Individuals pay a weekly or monthly fee and receive a box of produce every week. This method of obtaining produce does require a different mindset and is best suited for those who enjoy a wide array of vegetables and love to cook at home. The weekly pick-up of produce is a hodgepodge of what's in season and what's been freshly harvested, usually a variety of cooking greens, salad greens, vegetables, fruits and herbs.
Wai'anae's MA'O Farms has spearheaded a high-volume CSA program, offering a weekly 8- to 12-pound box of produce grown at their Lualualei Valley farm. The reusable box of salad and cooking greens, roots, herbs and fruit is designed to feed two to four people for the week. They offer two pick-up locations: LCC Wai'anae and the V-Lounge in Honolulu. Sign up is offered through their website.
Meleanas Farms on the North Shore of O'ahu is taking a different approach to CSAs by creating a co-op of North Shore growers to bolster the variety of produce in their weekly boxes of food. With the collective network of small farmers, typical boxes include cooking and salad greens, herbs, fruit, vegetables, eggs and value added products like homemade banana bread. The best way to subscribe to the Country-centric CSA is to email Melana Judd at meleanajudd@gmail.com.
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