My "Green" Orange from Orange County, CA

• Farmer Stability - Most farmers are the last ones to be paid and often they aren't sure how much they will profit dealing with conventional produce brokers until months after their produce has been shipped. CSAs offer farmers stability as they are a guaranteed sale and usually much more profitable. Thus, job stability and wages for those who work local farms are also increased.
• Open Spaces - Supporting local farms by participating in CSA programs will increase a given farms revenue, bettering their chance of not being swallowed up by an excessive real estate developer. This helps to sustain local agricultural open spaces.
• Produce Quality - Produce from local farms was regulated by local agencies. Not large scale Federal or International bodies which we have little control over. Also, you can visit the local farm where your produce was grown.
• Fresh Produce - Produce purchased through CSA programs are often picked within a day or two of receiving them. Your produce will have the ability to stay fresher, longer then the Australian orange purchased from your local grocery store that spent days in who knows what kind of transit.
• Reducing Carbon Emissions - Many produce products are shipped to your local grocery store from around the world. Much of this transit is by airplane. The wasted energy and carbon emissions produced by this transit can be eliminated.