EastCoastDHer

We're all probably familiar with sponsors and the concept of sponsorship. But how many of us know what CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is and how it operates? I've been toying with an idea for a while that would offer racers a chance to be sponsored while giving publicity and recognition to small, local businesses. More important the relationship would allow the sponsored athlete to obtain high quality, healthy and locally grown/raised food to help power them to the podium. The idea is simple: A farms CSA operates by members signing up and paying in advance for a specific amount of time to receive a specific (and predetermined) amount of food. Share Members then either pick up at market or farm their goods. This allows members to obtain a guaranteed slot with a local grower throughout the growing season. No longer do you need to worry about your favorite growers being out of any item you fancy. However, if there is a drought, loss of livestock, loss of crops or any combination the member runs a risk of having little to no product. Many farms (myself included) try to compensate for these unpredictable times by offering other products which may be more abundant or they simply add more product the next time pick up is due. For example: You pay x dollars in May for a seasons share. You determine and agree how much you pay and in turn how much product you get. If say, coyotes get courageous and take out half my flock of laying hens I make up for the reduction or lack of eggs by giving you more vegetables and/or canned goods.

I'm curious about applying this to racing. Instead of parts, sponsored athletes would receive a full share (or partial share depending on agreement with the grower) of food to help power them to the finish line. Racers would get high quality, local food while establishing a solid relationship with the very people who grow that food. Any questions or concerns or even recipes could be addressed directly. Racers would also have the confidence of knowing who grows their food, what type of food they are consuming and also what exact practices are used to grow the food. There is also the potential for racers to be introduced to new and sometimes rare (or in high demand) products without worrying about long lines, parking or shortages due to arriving later in the day/season. Growers would gain publicity but also insight into what athletes consume and prefer (or dislike). Some may even get custom tailored orders or products.

My reason for posting this is simple, I'd like to know what you all think. We spend so much money and time on upgrading our bikes and hitting the gym and trails it's only natural to upgrade our most important parts: Our food and our bodies.