Teike

Teikei is a form of community-supported agriculture (CSA) that originated in Japan, pairing farmers with urban consumers in a long‑term partnership. Members commit to a farm's harvest by providing steady financial support and, in return, receive a regular share of produce. The arrangement foregrounds mutual trust, local food security, and cooperative relationships over pure market exchange.

Teikei arose in the 1960s as a grassroots response to rural depopulation, pesticide concerns, and a desire for direct connections between eaters and producers. It often spread through neighborhood associations, schools, and activist networks, with farmers and consumers negotiating terms that suited their local context.

Operations typically involve a shared commitment: members pay upfront or monthly, and the farmer guarantees a predictable supply. In many teikei groups, members help with harvesting, sorting, or distribution, while the farmer provides vegetables and sometimes eggs or dairy. The emphasis is on ongoing collaboration rather than a one-time sale.

Teikei is often described as a closer, more personal form of CSA, where relationships extend beyond money to social ties and mutual responsibility. It can also function as an educational and community-building activity, linking households with food production and local land.

Contemporary teikei groups continue in Japan, especially around major cities, sometimes integrating with environmental education, farmers’ markets, or school lunch programs. Similar models have appeared in other countries, inspired by teikei principles, though adaptations vary widely and scale is typically smaller than industrial supply chains. Challenges include dependency on volunteer labor, production shocks, and member turnover.