unchanging price . The producer commits to provide quality products in accordance with CSAs ’ charter .
CSA ’ s objectives are the following :
� Preserving local farming agriculture , socially fair and ecologically ,
� Preserving the environment through ecological farming techniques , and the maintenance of biodiversity ,
� Establishing fair trade between farmers and consumers ,
� Encouraging consumers to have an healthy nutrition and to be health-caring ,
� Empowering consumers through citizen and united commitment .
On a national level , Miramap , CSA network , offers many tools , useful to create new CSAs . It is also a guarantee for the ethical aspect of this good practice , especially thanks to CSAs ’ charter . On a local level , these methods expand to cities essentially . Some derived methods , less demanding , less restrictive , are emerging .
Advantages and drawbacks
The best price-quality ratio you can find on the market : thanks to mutual commitment between consumers and producers , free disposal of a distribution point and a trustworthy bond between both players . In CSAs , the way of consuming is one of the least expensive on the market . However , the consumer will have to pay a part of the producer ’ s harvest six to twelve months in advance and he will not be able to choose the quantities or even what will be inside the basket .
CSAs also offer a moment of conviviality and exchange around production , agriculture , but also around food and cooking . Additional activities are often proposed : conviviality time , farm visits , farm help , etc . in order to encourage the understanding of one another . Even if this system has taken off in the last few years , it is at the end of the road today : the number of members is decreasing every half-year . It is also due to other types of CSA , less restrictive , that emerged on the market .
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