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Donating CSA Shares to the Deities
by Madhava Gosh

Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA as it is referred to, is a method being employed by some local growers (more common amongst organic growers) to help compete against the big ugrakarmic farms that dominate agriculture. It is like a magazine subscription, where the buyer pays up front for a share of the production, then weekly receives a package with whatever is currently fresh from the farm, instead of the chemically drenched produce that has spent days in transport that is offered by the mass market. It makes a sure market for the growers so they can concentrate on production.

My wife has put a little twist on it, where she is offering a flower share. For US $108 a year she will provide either two garlands or two vase arrangements a week from mid June to mid October. The price and season would vary according in other times and places, but the same principle would apply. The share can be offered to Srila Prabhupada or the temple Deities, or for home use. This ties into the idea expressed in the article "The Deities: Gifts For and Gifts From."

© CHAKRA 21 February 2002