FARMINGTON – Connecting farmers with customers looking to buy local foods and products is the goal of a Community Supported Agriculture Fair planned for 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Fairbanks School building on Route 27.

CSA shares or memberships allow people to buy from a farm in advance. The share entitles a customer to a weekly or monthly basket of produce, flowers, fruit, eggs, milk, meat or other farm products, depending on the farm, said coordinator Tanya Swain of the Western Mountains Alliance.

Purchasing CSA shares is a way for people to support local farmers and to get fresh produce.

Local CSA farmers plan to be at the fair in addition to farmers who may not be CSA members but who offer foods in advance growth, she said.

“What we’re hearing from farmers is that they are experiencing a significant demand for their product. While out in the community, people are seeking ways to buy local products,” she said. “The farmers market is one way. This is something different, another venue.”

Cheese makers, bakeries and others who are getting early seedlings started will be there to promote their farms and offer samples of some products, she said.

Information on buying clubs will also be available. Buying clubs are groups that buy products in bulk and split it between members, she said.

“Some people might want to buy a cow together or jointly own a CSA share, especially a couple of single people or the elderly who might not be able to handle the produce from a share,” Swain said. “There’s a growing interest in establishing buying clubs.”

Admission to the fair is free. For more information, contact the Western Mountains Alliance at 778-3885, [email protected].