From the Ground Up CSA

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CSA Pricing | CSA Privileges | Risks | Food Safety | Clagett Farm

Expenses

Who pays the bills?
Our annual expenses are about $150,000, which includes seed, fuel and other supplies, and our greatest expense, which is a modest living wage for our staff with very basic health coverage.  We also benefit from the unpaid labor of groups and individuals who help us with harvesting, field work, and office work.

Of the expenses we pay for, about 74% is covered by income from selling CSA shares.  Another 5% comes from other minor sales and fund-raisers, such as cookbooks at the pick-up site and the silent auction at the fall festival.  And about 2% comes from donations from individuals (mostly CSA members).  That 7% is what allows us to offer half-price shares.  We would love to offer more!

The Capital Area Food Bank and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation each contribute about 9% to our budget each year.  This, along with rent-free land, office and living space, liability insurance, accounting oversight, and the help of volunteers that they solicit for us, allow us to donate produce to local agencies that serve the hungry in our area.