Mel Stride MP has been given a tour of one of a growing number of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) schemes. Chagfood Director Dan Burston explained how CSAs involve customers committing to support a farm for an entire season by paying for their produce either up front or by monthly direct debit. Advocates cite a range of benefits which include consumers enjoying fresh food from a known source, farmers receiving a more consistent income, the local community influencing what is grown locally, better promotion of local produce and a positive knock-on effect to the wider local economy.
Explaining more about Chagfood Dan said:
“Since 2010 we have grown to meet increasing demand for our high-quality fresh produce and now supply over 80 local households from our five-acre growing site on organically certified land at Rushford Mill Farm. We aim to connect our customers to where their food comes from and how it is produced.”
Mr Stride added:
“Farming is the life-blood of communities across my Central Devon constituency and one major way that we can support them is to buy more local produce. CSA’s are an exciting and innovative way of giving farmers greater financial security through ensuring regular custom and I will do whatever I can to support them in the future.”
For more information visit www.chagfood.org.uk.
