Local food keeps your taxes in check. Farms contribute more in taxes than they require in services, whereas suburban development costs more than it generates in taxes, according to several studies. On average, for every $1 in revenue raised by residential development, governments must spend $1.17 on services, thus requiring higher taxes of all taxpayers. For each dollar of revenue raised by farm, forest, or open space, government spends 34 cents on services.

 

Local food is about the future. By supporting local farmers today, you can help ensure that there will be farms in your community tomorrow, and that future generations will have access to nourishing, flavorful, and abundant food.

 

Local food preserves open space. As the value of direct-marketed fruits and vegetables increases, selling farmland for development becomes less likely.

 

When you buy locally grown food, you are doing something proactive about preserving the agricultural landscape.

Community Supported Agriculture is a mutually beneficial commitment between a farm and the members who purchase shares in the farm.

 

This relationship provides a direct link between the production and the consumption of food.

 

Members of CSA share in both the harvest and the cost equally with other members. The members pledge to support the farm with a financial commitment, and in turn the farmer provides fresh and nutritious food, all the while maintaining and practicing good land stewardship.

 

By participating in CSA, you keep food dollars in the community. You also have the ability to see and know where your food is coming from and how it is being grown.

 

Nearly 90 percent of the food that the United States consumes comes from out of state.