The Eat Local First Collaborative announces the launch of a new Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Finder to help consumers in Washington State search for and learn about CSA near them, make informed decisions to sign up, and deepen their connection with and commitment to local farms. With the CSA subscription season starting, consumer demand to purchase farm shares directly from local producers is expected to remain strong.
"Joining a CSA is one of the most powerful ways you can support local farms,” says Micha Ide, Program Manager at Pierce County Fresh. “By finding your match and subscribing to a CSA you become a true member of your chosen farm. The relationship you will build with your farmer over the course of the season makes mealtime that much more meaningful.”
The CSA Finder offers consumers the ability to customize their search for CSA farms with multiple filters - including availability, offerings (i.e. produce, meat, dairy, eggs), season, size, distribution methods (home delivery, on-farm pick-up) and delivery zip codes.
With the launch of the CSA Finder tool also comes the Meet Your CSA Farmer campaign running March 15th-29, 2021. The consumer information campaign will feature a video series introducing CSA farmers around the state, and enter to win contest supporting the purchase of CSA subscriptions, plus ps and tools for making the most out of a seasonal farm share. “With spring in the air, it’s time to fall in love with local food,” says Sheryl Wiser of Tilth Alliance. “Our goal is to connect consumers with their local CSA farm and offer support to anyone wanting to make the most of their subscription. There’s always some “what’s in the box this week” kind of excitement about what’s coming with your farm share, and it can be fun for everyone to tap into that.”
Launched in November 2020, the Eat Local First website features the Washington Food & Farm Finder, a comprehensive and mobile-friendly searchable database connecting consumers with approximately 1,700 local farms, farmers markets, food businesses and local food resources. Free listings are available through 2021 for owners and operators of local farms, food businesses, and local food systems organizations in Washington state.
The Eat Local First Collaborative, a collective of food system organizations based in Washington State, works together to facilitate connections between consumers and farm/food businesses statewide. Collaborative members include The Local Food Trust, Pierce County Fresh, Sustainable Connections in Bellingham Washington, Tilth Alliance, Washington State University Food Systems, and Washington State University Regional Small Farms Program with anticipated future participation from additional partners across the state.
