A Female Organic Farmer Speaks

Farmers Markets vs. CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)

 

 

Donna Buono has a 20-acre organic farm in the small town of Rainbow in northern San Diego County, California.  She grows 70 different fruits, macademias, and heirloom vegetables on her Morning Song Farm. (See U-T San Diego, September 30, 2013).

 

 

Why She Gave Up Farmers Markets

 

 

"I was doing farmers markets, and I love them, but economically it didn't pencil out for us. . .once you pay your employee and pay for gas you don't make anything."

 

 

With farmers markets:

 

• The farmer never knows how much to harvest
• Rain or a sporting event can change sales figures substantially
• You end up giving away or throwing away a lot of food

 

 

Why She Likes Community Supported Agriculture

 

 

A CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm has drop-off points where customers pick up the produce they pay for in advance as "subscribers."  They pay a set price:

• Small box, weekly or bi-weekly--$34.50
• Large box, weekly or bi-weekly--$44.50
• Salad fixings, weekly--$19.75

The CSA Disadvantages

 

• Too few people who want non-GMO organic foods in their homes are aware of CSAs (San Diego County, one of the largest counties in the lower 48 states and with a great many small farms, has only some dozen CSAs!)
• Marketing (Advertising) is expensive
• Talented labor is a huge issue

 

Donna Buono's Organic Farm is a Labor of Love!

 

"Our subscribers say they feel like its Christmas

when they open their boxes"

 

"Healthy food should not be a luxury! 

 

 

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