Tennessee Department of Agriculture says the Freshest Gift of All A Whole Year of Local Foods

Nashville, TN – A gift certificate from a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm can provide a year of fresh produce and other local foods. The person or family who receives fresh foods and a local farmer will benefit from a delicious, health-minded gift that meets a need and will be appreciated all through the year.

In a CSA, a farmer contracts with people in the community to provide them with a portion of the year’s harvest. Customers pay the farmer in advance, before the produce season begins, which allows the farmer to buy seed, fertilizer, fuel and other inputs necessary to farm for the year.

CSA members might meet a farmer at a drop-off site in the community, go to the farm to pick up their shares, or even have the box delivered right to their doorsteps, depending on the farm. In addition to produce, customers may be able to request eggs and other local foods.

A directory of Tennessee CSAs and farmers markets where CSA farms bring produce are listed at the Pick Tennessee website.

At Pick Tennessee, visitors can find CSA farms offering gift certificates or purchase the share and make their own certificates. The holiday season coincides with the time that most CSA farmers start contracting with customers for the next year. Just check the farm’s site for CSA start dates and more information about the farm.

Find other farms, farm direct and artisan products, and recipes for all seasons at Pick Tennessee Products. You can also follow Pick Tennessee on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.