CSA launched in Lebanon: the "Healthy Basket" project
CSA was launched in Lebanon in 2002 through an initiative from the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at the American University of Beirut to support the Lebanese organic farmers and help them develop a sustainable income while protecting the environment and people's health. In its first season, the "Healthy Basket" project was designed to serve 40 sharers with a plan to serve more sharers in the coming seasons.
How can you Share?
To become sharers in the Healthy Basket project, people sign up and purchase a share of the farm's harvest at the beginning of the season. Sharers pay the seasonal fee either in one lump sum or by installments throughout the growing season. In return for this "investment", sharers will get a weekly basket of fresh and organic fruits and vegetables.
Our 2002 season starts in July and ends in October 2002 for a total of 15 weeks. The season was extended for three more weeks because of some delays in production for reasons beyond our control.

The social aspect of CSA
CSA develops ties between local farmers and consumers and creates opportunity for dialogue between them, encourages consumers to share the risks of crop production with the farmers, and increases understanding of how, where, and by whom the food is grown.
This is attained when the farmers and consumers interact at the drop -off points in addition to farm visits where consumers have the chance to observe and understand how the farm is managed and the food they are eating is produced.