The what-how-why of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): Difference between revisions

Though most cooperatives adapt their organisational structures to meet their own specific needs, the coop system is fundamentaly based on 7 founding notions: the Rochdale Principles. Originally wrote in England in 1844 by the 28 founders of an early worker co-operative food store<ref>This store gave the members of the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers access to goods they would otherwise not have access to, now being left unemployed as a result of the mechanisation of work</ref>, this set of principles paved the way to our contemporary cooperative movement. (click on reference for more detailed principle)

<li>Co-operative societies must be autonomous and independent.<ref>If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their co-operative autonomy.</ref></li>

<li>Concern for cummunity.<ref>Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.</ref></li>

A food cooperative is directly owned by both its employees and its members. People who shop at the cooperative typically pay a yearly nominal fee and share the work (accounting, selling, merchandising, cleaning) fairly throughout the year. In general, membership is open to any community member, with stores adopting official policies of nondiscrimination. Often distributing food items from a range of local farms and organic products dealers, these structures are more often found in cities and urban environements, where access to farms is limited.

== What problems does CSA seek to address?<ref name=handbook>Notes from the ‘<i>European Handbook on Community Supported Agriculture Sharing Experiences</i>’. Note: The document has been funded by, among other, the European Commissiońs programe for life-long learning</ref>==

<li>Control of food system by large corporations, who use the food system to increase shareholder profits. CSAs seek a food system controlled by communities to serve social well being and the environment,</li>

<li>Damage to biodiversity caused by large scale  ‘efficient’ non organic farming</li>

<li>Diet related health problems caused by over processed food and loss of cooking skills</li>

<li>Lack of access to organic and local food by low income house-holds</li>

<li>Depression in rural areas and high suicide rates amongst iso-lated failing farmers</li>

== Benefits of the CSA<ref name=handbook /> ==

<li> A more secure income which improves business planning and time to concentrate on farming,</li>

<li>A higher and fairer return for their products by selling direct to the public,</li>

<li>An Increased involvement in the local community; the opportunity to respond directly to consumers’ needs,</li>

<li>Receive help with labour and planning initiatives for the future (involving the community during harvesting)</li>