Luther College is offering CSA reimbursement to employees

Luther College's Center for Sustainable Community has partnered with local farmers to provide Luther faculty and staff the opportunity to participate in a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and receive reimbursement for a portion of the share they choose to buy.

CSA has increasingly become a popular way for community members to access local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. Consumers pay an up-front cost for a share, and in exchange receive weekly or bi-weekly boxes of produce for a specified amount of time, usually a summer season.

CSAs come in all shapes and sizes to accommodate the needs and desires of customers. Some CSA farms even offer market shares where customers have the opportunity to select what they want from their CSA farm's stand at market.

When a Luther faculty or staff member purchases a CSA share, Luther will reimburse 50 percent of the cost, up to $100. In 2014 more than 25 percent of employees are taking advantage of this program.

Participation in the CSA reimbursement program has steadily increased since the pilot program in 2012, from 37 shares purchased in 2012 to 109 shares purchased in 2014.

Local CSA farms include River Root Farm, Patchwork Green, Canoe Creek Produce, Sweet Earth Farm and Annie's Gardens and Greens.

Funding for the reimbursement program comes from Luther's Health Care Fund, the Center for Sustainable Communities and the Wellness Program.