One of the best ways to incite positive change and create a culture of wellness is to make it simple to be healthy. We’ve found that one of the easiest examples of this is community-supported agriculture, an on-trend delivery model that allows individuals to “subscribe” to a local farm and receive a weekly share of fresh fruits and vegetables. While some people choose to get their share delivered to their house, we’ve seen a lot of companies offer to have the CSA provider drop off the produce at their office. As an employee perk or an optional service, we think it’s one of the best ways a company can provide easy access to healthy, nutritional foods..jpg?width=375&height=248&name=2804-112013-dsc1925_(1).jpg)
When you sign up for a CSA, you’ll receive weekly or bi-weekly deliveries from June until October or November. Members of a CSA typically pay upfront for an entire season of produce (ranging anywhere from about $350-$600), but many offer flexible payment plans.
CSA shares generally include 7-10 types of vegetables and/or fruit, enough weekly provisions for a family of 2-3 people. Many also offer the option to add eggs, meat, cheese or bread from another local farm for an additional cost. An example of a typical bag from TotalWellness’ CSA program would be something like 3 lbs of tomatoes, romaine lettuce, 2 bell peppers, 2 cucumbers and a couple kohlrabi. However, keep in mind that this will vary each harvest and will depend on what’s in season and what’s available to you locally.
One of the best features of a CSA is that it allows you to support the farmers in your community without sacrificing convenience. Farmers are able to receive payments early in the harvest season and have a direct opportunity to meet and get to know the people who eat their food. Consumers, in turn, get access to ultra-fresh produce that’s full of all the flavor and vitamin benefits, without turning to a grocery store with an unidentified and preservative-packed crop. Additionally, CSA programs give you a chance to try new vegetables and fruits and experiment with different recipes.
If your employees don’t want to sign up for a specific subscription, many farmers now offer a farmers’-market-style CSA. Rather than providing a standard box of veggies for each member each week, the members are able to put together their own boxes based on their own preferences. With a little direction, this option allows employees to take what they want and leave behind what they don’t care for.
The amount of CSA programs that are now available to employees is overwhelming. Search LocalHarvest’s website here to find a local CSA in your neighborhood.
Would you consider joining a CSA program in your office? Comment below.
