By: Rachael Maysals, Executive Director at FairShare CSA Coalition
Summer in Madison is a season of abundance. From vibrant farmers markets to overflowing CSA boxes and colorful community gardens, fresh local produce is all around! Across our region, farmers work tirelessly to grow food that nourishes our communities and connects us more deeply to the land. But while local food is abundant, access is not equally available to everyone.
Fresh, locally grown food should be something everyone can enjoy.
Our local food systems are strongest when we all can participate. Yet high upfront costs, limited access to farmers markets and food co-ops, transportation barriers, and uncertainty in the kitchen can make local food feel out of reach for many. Building resilient food communities requires intentional effort to ensure fresh, local food is accessible and welcoming to all.
And that reciprocity flows back to farmers, too. Relationships between growers and eaters build solidarity and resilience during hard times. Right now, local farmers are facing exponentially rising costs and economic uncertainty, while households are navigating higher food prices and increasing pressures on household budgets.
Organizations like FairShare work to strengthen both the farmer and eater side of the equation. We support established farmers through trainings and peer-to-peer learning, as well as emerging farmers with programs like the Organic Vegetable Farm Manager Apprenticeship. These efforts help farmers build the skills, networks, and business knowledge they need to succeed throughout their career. At the same time, programs such as Partner Shares help ensure that households of all income levels can participate in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).
Why Local Matters
On average, farmers only take home about 14.3 cents of every dollar spent at a big-box grocery store. In markets that create more direct connections between farmers and eaters, such as Community Supported Agriculture, farmers markets, and food co-ops, a much larger share of each food dollar goes back to the farm. At the Willy Street Co-op, for example, approximately 60 cents of every dollar spent on local produce goes directly to the farmer. Local spending also has a ripple effect throughout the community. Studies suggest that every dollar spent locally circulates up to 3.5 times more wealth in the local economy—so your dollar’s impact just keeps growing.
Keeping your dollars local is a form of community care. Purchasing directly from a farmer, or from a store like Willy Street Co-op that prioritizes supporting local growers, helps build and strengthen community-centered food systems rooted in relationships, trust, and mutual support.
Supporting local farms also creates opportunities for both beginning farmers and established growers seeking to diversify their markets. As more demand for local food grows, so do opportunities for farmers to focus on growing what they love, and marketing through outlets that work for their farm and their community.
Access and Affordability
Fresh food should not be a privilege—but for many people, it can be difficult to afford. FairShare’s Partner Shares program helps households access fresh, local food all season long by providing sliding-scale assistance for CSA shares. The program also allows members to pay for their share via SNAP. The program helps households access fresh, local food throughout the growing season while also providing farmers with reliable, upfront income.
It’s a model that benefits both farmers and eaters. Farmers gain stable markets and predictable revenue, while households gain access to nutritious, locally grown food at a price that works for their budget.
As one 2025 Partner Shares participant shared: “Being part of a CSA through the Partner Shares Program has been such a rewarding experience. The weekly boxes encouraged me to try new vegetables, cook more intentionally, and appreciate the care that goes into local farming. It has not only made fresh, high-quality produce more accessible, but has also deepened my connection to the farming community.”
Bike the Barns
Programs like Partner Shares are only possible with robust community support. Each September, over 1,000 community members come together for Bike the Barns, FairShare’s annual cycling fundraiser and celebration of local food and farming. Riders travel scenic routes through the countryside, visit local farms, enjoy delicious food, and experience firsthand the people and places that make our local food community thrive!
More than just a bike ride, Bike the Barns is an opportunity to connect with local farms and support efforts that expand access to fresh food. All proceeds from the event go to supporting FairShare’s work and the Partner Shares program. Whether you participate as a rider, volunteer, donor, or fundraiser rider, your involvement brings to life the idea that fresh food is for everyone.
Resilient food communities are built together. Every choice to support local farmers, participate in community programs, or invest in food access helps create a future where farmers thrive, communities are vibrant, and fresh food is available to all!
We invite you to join us for Bike the Barns on September 20th at Badger Prairie County Park and help build a stronger, more resilient food community! Learn more at www.csacoalition.org/bike-the-barns.
