Though it may seem as if summer is a long way off, many farms are beginning to accept memberships for their summer CSA shares. Now is the time to do your research on which CSA you might want to join. As you do, consider some of the options available to help you pay for your share.
Insurance Rebates
Dean Health, Group Health Cooperative, Physicians Plus, and Unity Health all reimburse members for produce shares bought from FairShare CSA coalition farms. Part of their individual wellness reimbursement programs, single members can get up to $100 returned to them, while family members can receive up to $200. All programs have specific requirements for how to receive payment, which can be found on FairShare CSA’s website.
Company Wellness Money
Some companies also provide incentives for being part of a CSA. Check with your company’s human resources or wellness manager to see if your company pays a part or all of CSA shares for employees. Some companies are even bringing the CSA onsite to help make fruits and vegetables more accessible to their workers by offering a share to employees or buying one or two and allowing employees to share the produce. Having employees eat and stay healthy can pay off for employers, so if you’re not sure what your company offers don’t be afraid to ask.
Pay ahead
If your insurance company or company doesn’t offer any assistance with paying for your CSA, there are still other ways to make it affordable. Some farms offer rate reductions for paying your bill in full before the season begins. It may seem strange to pay for fruits and vegetables in winter that you won’t see until summer and fall, but giving the farmer the money up front will help fund the farm and the planting that will result in tasty produce later. Plus, later, you’ll appreciate not having to pay for vegetables or fruit you can enjoy all summer long.
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