Food co-ops and Community Supported Agriculture farms, or CSAs as they’re also known, are two excellent choices for finding fresh, organic, and locally produced fruits, vegetables, meat and eggs. With both food co-ops and CSAs consumers have a share in the operation, and often have some influence in promoting the sale of healthy, local and organically grown produce. A food co-op is a grocery or whole food store where customers or workers own shares in the business. CSAs rely on a partnership between growers and consumers, with consumers purchasing a share of the farm at the beginning of a growing season and, with some CSAs, helping with the harvesting and delivery of produce.

Food Co-ops and CSAs in the United States

Here is a sample of some popular food co-op and CSA options currently in operation in the United States, broken down by region:

West

• Arcata Co-op, Arcata, California. A food co-op which specializes in bulk grains, flours, nuts, cereals and other foods.
• Cedarville Farm, Bellingham, Washington. This CSA operates May through December, offering over 45 types of vegetables and herbs.
• Food Front Cooperative, Portland, Oregon. A food co-op which focuses on organic products produced through environmentally and socially responsible means.
• Tierra Miguel Foundation, Pauma Valley, California. A CSA which operates year round, serving San Diego, Orange, Riverside and Los Angeles Counties.
• Yelm Food Co-op, Yelm, Washington. Food co-op that sells a variety of natural and organic products, including raw milk.

Midwest

• Angelic Organics, Caledonia, Illinois. This CSA delivers to over 25 Chicago and Rockford area sites from mid-June to late October.
• Danjo Farms, Columbia, Missouri. This popular CSA operates May through October and has home delivery within a limited region.
• Keweenaw Co-op Market & Deli, Hancock, Michigan. A food co-op that specializes in natural, organic, ethnic, gourmet, bulk, and local products.
• Millsap Farm, CSA, Springfield, Missouri. A CSA that delivers produce from April through October. Also offers whole pastured meat products.
• Oneota Community Food Co-op, Decorah, Iowa. A bulk, organic and natural foods co-op.

Northeast

• Common Thread Community Farm, Madison, New York. This CSA offers over 200 varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers.
• George Street Co-Op, New Brunswick, New Jersey. A food co-op that specializes in vegetarian and organic foods.
• Hungry Hollow Co-op, Chestnut Ridge, New York. A food co-op that specializes in organic and biodynamic produce, grocery, baked goods and natural care products.
• Sarver’s Hill Organic Farm, Greensburg, Pennsylvania. A certified organic CSA that operates May through October.
• Sharon’s Natural Farms, Delmar, Delaware. A small, educational CSA that operates year-round. Classes in agricultural practices are available to members.

South

• Gateway Organic Farm, Clearwater, Florida. A small CSA that serves the Tampa Bay area from November through May.
• Johnson's Backyard Garden, Austin, Texas. A popular, year-round CSA that serves the Austin, Texas area.
• Montgomery Farms, Bell, Florida. A CSA that delivers to the Gainsville and Montgomery, Florida from October through June.
• Spruill Green Market CSA, Atlanta George. A CSA created by a cooperative of farms, weekly subscriptions available. Operates March through November.
• Three Rivers Market, Food Co-op in Knoxville, Tennessee. Bulk, organic and natural foods co-op.
• Wheatsville Food Co-op in Austin, Texas. A food co-op that offers a full-line of natural foods and personal care items.