Emerging trend for CSAs -- the All Star CSA [View all]

I think this is good news. I am part of an organic farming venture this season and we were interviewing some sales people. Two of them related that they are seeing more movement away from the CSA model where each farmer grow everything to one where growers can specialize in what they grow best.

I think this is awesome because it will allow each farmer to be more efficient and grow better produce. In my area of the country, a lot of younger people are experimenting with small farms and CSAs. Customers of CSAs want variety so many beginning farmers feel pressured to grow 40 to 60 different vegetables. Now they can just master 2 or 3 and sell through a larger CSA without the burden of recruiting EVERY customer.

This is a big step toward re-establishing viable local food systems. Hopefully a focus on several crops instead of dozens will help small farmers turn a profit. It may also get more people to try crops that aren't as widely grown, and that should add to the range of variety available in many local communities.

I suppose the downside is that a good All Star CSA could keep newbies from getting established because, for example, if the Greenhorn wants to specialize in garlic, shallots and onions they would have to displace the more experienced "all star" garlic grower.

Is this trend good or bad for small growers?