Community Supported Agriculture a great way to know what's happening on the farm

Fruit and vegetable stands at the end of farm laneways are a common sight but an increasing number of farmers are changing their marketing strategy by taking the farm gate to their customers.

It's called Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and it allows direct interaction between consumers and the people who grow their food, while providing farmers with an infusion of cash before the growing season starts — and their customers with fresh, locally grown vegetables, fruits, meat and dairy food.

Usually early in the year, a consumer buys a full share (typically enough of whatever the farmer produces for a family of four) or a half-share (enough for one or two) from one or more CSA farms. Delivery of food to the consumers occurs weekly or bi-weekly, beginning in June, and lasts about 20 weeks, or until the end of October.