Those of us lucky enough to live near farms can take part in a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program, but Milwaukee has brought this organic produce phenomenon to the city with a rooftop CSA.
Milwaukee residents can now purchase $800 shares of the rooftop CSA's harvest for 2009. Each week, they'll get a box of produce, the contents of which will vary as the seasons progress. If this sounds like a hefty sum, make a mental note of what the produce you ate from April to November in 2008 cost. Best of all, by nature a CSA is all-organic.
The Milwaukee rooftop CSA is located at the Community Building and Restoration building on N. Palmer St. I had the pleasure of taking part in a CSA last year in my town, and it's an experience I plan to repeat as long as I am able.
Rooftop CSAs
Milwaukee Makes Organic Produce Accessible & Affordable
Trend Themes
1. Rooftop CSA Programs - The rise of rooftop CSAs presents an opportunity for businesses to implement urban farming initiatives and provide accessible organic produce to city dwellers.
2. Community Supported Agriculture - The popularity of CSAs indicates a growing consumer demand for local, organic produce, opening up opportunities for farmers and food suppliers to create more direct-to-consumer channels.
3. Sustainable Food Systems - The emergence of rooftop CSAs highlights the need for sustainable food systems in urban areas, prompting businesses to explore innovative solutions such as vertical farming and hydroponics to meet the demand for fresh, locally grown produce.
Industry Implications
1. Agriculture - The agriculture industry can tap into the rooftop CSA trend by investing in urban farming technologies and establishing partnerships with rooftop CSA programs to increase their market reach.
2. Food Retail - Food retail companies have an opportunity to meet consumer demand for local, organic produce by partnering with rooftop CSA programs and integrating their products into their supply chains.
3. Sustainability - The sustainability industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by providing solutions for rooftop CSA programs, such as developing efficient rooftop farming systems and implementing waste reduction strategies.