Community Supported Agriculture in Sault Ste. Marie

It all started in 2004…

In 2004, two local women set out to connect local food producers and consumers using the CSA model. Two local farmers agreed to participate in a CSA program to supply 20 families with locally grown fresh, “no spray” produce for 16 weeks. Articles were printed in local papers, explaining the concept and calling for members. There was overwhelming interest and our 20 spaces were easily filed.We held one meeting for the growers and members to meet, to explain how the CSA would run, and arrange payment, which went directly to the growers. Each share cost $150.Every Saturday, the growers brought their produce to a central drop off location, where members met to pick up their delicious vegetables, and share the responsibilities of sorting and distributing vegetables to other members. The program was a great success!  

Five years later…2008 Since our first season in 2004, the community response and interest have been overwhelming!  We’ve learned a lot about what works (and what doesn’t!); we’ve done some community outreach, attended events to promote the CSA, but by far most of the information about the local CSAs has spread by word of mouth. In 2004 we started with 2 growers and 20 families.

In 2008 there will be 5 CSAs, supporting a combined total of over 125 families. The breakdown of CSAs is as follows: 

CSA #1- in Prince Township- supports 20 families

CSA #2- in Sault Ste. Marie-supports 30 families

CSA #3- in Desbarats-supports 25 families

CSA #4- in Ophir-supports 10 families

CSA#5- in Iron Bridge-supports 40 families

I am also currently providing support to another grower from Echo Bay who is looking at starting a CSA in her community. 

CSA Manual

The original CSA group (called the “Just Picked CSA) had the assistance of two Community Economic and Social Development placement students (from Algoma University) in 2004 and 2005, who assisted in the development of a CSA Manual. This CSA manual has been distributed to some local growers to support them in the development of their own CSA programs. 

Why such great local success?

I believe the success of the local CSA program can be attributed to a number of factors:

•  increased awareness of the diversity of benefits of local food production (environmental, economic, health, social, etc.)
• desire for local economic diversification
• desire for healthier lifestyle
• local farming history; lots of local producers looking for new markets
• proven past success (very satisfied growers and consumers)

There are ever increasing numbers of community members who are interested in supporting this alternative model of local agriculture.  The waiting lists grow!