Impacts of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Voucher Program on Food Lifestyle Behaviors: Evidence from an Employer-Sponsored Pilot Program

Abstract

Community supported agriculture (CSA) programs have recently received attention for their potential to influence food lifestyle behaviors and health outcomes. We build on and expand inquiries into the relationship between CSA participation and behavior change by presenting the results from a controlled pilot study of first-time CSA shareholders. We offered 95 first-time shareholders a $200 voucher to participate in a CSA. Prior to and immediately following CSA participation, these shareholders completed a survey on food lifestyle behaviors. Using econometric analyses, we measured shareholder behavior changes against an 82 person control group. All participants were drawn from a pool of individuals involved in a university wellness program. From these analyses, we identified potential benefits and changes to shareholders in four unique categories: (1) fresh versus processed food consumption; (2) food prepared at home versus away from home; (3) food purchasing behavior and interest in nutrition; and (4) self-reported health outcomes. Changes within these categories and differences between test and control were more strongly realized in shareholders who reported lower than average health prior to the CSA. We conclude with a discussion about the potential of incentivized CSAs to serve as a novel preventative health intervention.

Spatial Considerations for Implementing Two Direct-to-Consumer Food Models in Two States

“…Farmers have experimented with changing the scale and variety of their products, extending their season, and incorporating e-commerce [28]. More local growers now accept supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits, offer flexible payment plans, or employer and health plan incentives [28]. Spatial considerations are central to many of these adaptations, as farmers often select pickup sites conveniently located at worksites, hospitals, or on consumer's daily travel routes [27,29].…”

Edible City Solutions—One Step Further to Foster Social Resilience through Enhanced Socio-Cultural Ecosystem Services in Cities

“…Most studies refer to NBS as derivate of green infrastructure and as meeting points that do not cause their users to interact or engage with NBS design and management. There are first evidences, that participation in community-supported agriculture (CSA) shape shareholder food lifestyle behaviors and health outcomes [61]. Thus, ECS can learn from CSA concerning citizen's involvement and sustainable lifestyle changes.…”

Community supported agriculture membership: The benefits of spousal involvement

“…Joining an AFN-and particularly a CSAforces members to change their food processing, meal preparation practices, eating or cooking habits (see Cohen et al, 2012;Izumi et al, 2018;Minaker et al, 2014;Rossi et al, 2017;Russell & Zepeda, 2008;Vasquez et al, 2017;Wharton et al, 2015). Joining an AFN-and particularly a CSAforces members to change their food processing, meal preparation practices, eating or cooking habits (see Cohen et al, 2012;Izumi et al, 2018;Minaker et al, 2014;Rossi et al, 2017;Russell & Zepeda, 2008;Vasquez et al, 2017;Wharton et al, 2015).…”

“…The 1-week pick-up period during the CSA season represents a challenge for the handling of harvested produce since their properties influence cooking practices. Joining an AFN-and particularly a CSAforces members to change their food processing, meal preparation practices, eating or cooking habits (see Cohen et al, 2012;Izumi et al, 2018;Minaker et al, 2014;Rossi et al, 2017;Russell & Zepeda, 2008;Vasquez et al, 2017;Wharton et al, 2015). It seems members develop preferences towards vegetables and experience greater motivation to introduce new food types they had not eaten before (Hayden & Buck, 2012;Thompson & Coskuner-Balli, 2007).…”

“…By increasing access to fresh food produced in organic farming or in horticulture, CSA membership has a role in promoting health (Allen, Rossi, Woods, & Davis, 2017;Cohen, Gearhart, & Garland, 2012;Kis, 2014;Wharton et al, 2015). From a consumption point of view, purchasing from CSA can minimize dysfunctional searching or frustration due to information overload, which can occur when shopping for groceries.…”