Research

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21 pages, 286 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Community Supported Agriculture Farmers’ Perceptions of Management Benefits and Drawbacks

by Antonella Samoggia, Chiara Perazzolo, Piroska Kocsis and Margherita Del Prete

Sustainability 2019, 11(12), 3262; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11123262 - 13 Jun 2019

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 6319

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a direct partnership between producer(s) and a group of consumers/members to share the risks and responsibilities of farming activities. CSA aims at producing and providing environmentally, socially, economically, and nutritionally sustainable food. Past research has focused on CSA [...] Read more.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a direct partnership between producer(s) and a group of consumers/members to share the risks and responsibilities of farming activities. CSA aims at producing and providing environmentally, socially, economically, and nutritionally sustainable food. Past research has focused on CSA members’ motivations. This research aims to gain a better understanding of CSA farmers’ perceived benefits and drawbacks in managing a CSA farm, and whether CSA management perception varies in different countries. The research collected data from 35 farmers that were based in the United States (US) and Hungary (HU). Data elaboration includes a one-way Anova test, Chi-square test, principal component analysis, and multiple multivariate linear regressions. The results support that US and HU farmers have similar positive perceptions of CSA farming management, especially in food quality, nutritional value products, environmental, and community benefits. The main differences concentrate on economic, financial, and management perceptions. CSA success as an alternative agro-food production and distribution system relies on the capability to involve CSA members. Therefore, CSA farmers’ management skills may evolve to ensure the performance of communication and community engaging practices. The main CSA concern is ensuring a fair income and living wage for the farmers and labor force. There is a need for better balancing non-monetary and monetary benefits for the farmers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of Community Supported Agriculture)

15 pages, 254 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perspectives from the Field: Adaptions in CSA Models in Response to Changing Times in the U.S.

by Diane Smith, Weiwei Wang, Lisa Chase, Hans Estrin and Julia Van Soelen Kim

Sustainability 2019, 11(11), 3115; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11113115 - 03 Jun 2019

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3335

Abstract

Representing three states in the United States, the authors describe approaches and practices of direct-to-consumer markets from their combined experience of 40 plus years of working with Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), beginning in the early years of skepticism about the CSA model to [...] Read more.

Representing three states in the United States, the authors describe approaches and practices of direct-to-consumer markets from their combined experience of 40 plus years of working with Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), beginning in the early years of skepticism about the CSA model to the periods of rapid growth and optimism followed by today’s challenges regarding market saturation, competition from mainstream foods, complex logistics, and cultural disconnect. Through Cooperative Extension appointments in California, Vermont, and Washington, the authors have supported farmers as they have adopted CSA models and then adapted these models in response to changing consumer demand. This article examines the term and concept of CSA and how it has evolved in practice in different parts of the United States and at times been misused and co-opted for marketing purposes. We explore recent variations on the CSA model, including Farm Fresh Food Boxes (F3B), and discuss economic factors, marketing considerations, environmental stewardship, and community connections. The article concludes with projections for the future of CSA and the importance of maintaining authentic and beneficial relationships between farmers and consumers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of Community Supported Agriculture)

14 pages, 1126 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Community-Supported Agriculture Marketing Performance: Results from Pilot Market Channel Assessments in Colorado

by Becca B. R. Jablonski, Martha Sullins and Dawn Thilmany McFadden

Sustainability 2019, 11(10), 2950; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11102950 - 24 May 2019

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3103

Abstract

Due in large part to rising consumer interest, the number of farmers and ranchers selling through local food markets is growing. Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is a unique local food channel adopted by producers that was initially established as a strategy for producers to [...] Read more.

Due in large part to rising consumer interest, the number of farmers and ranchers selling through local food markets is growing. Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is a unique local food channel adopted by producers that was initially established as a strategy for producers to directly benefit from the season-long investments of buyers who align with their community-focused mission. Although the U.S. Department of Agriculture has long collected data to improve farm performance, information on specific marketing channels is missing, and in response, this research provides some of the first evidence of the heterogeneity of performance among CSAs. In a pilot approach to understanding the economics of CSAs relative to other direct marketing channels, we conducted an assessment process, incorporating 42 farms in Colorado between June 2016 and October 2017. Results showed that farms that incorporated CSA sales in their direct market portfolios tended to be smaller in scale and utilize more diverse markets. Although these CSA farms have lower average weekly sales, they have the highest average marketing profit margins compared to other direct market channels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of Community Supported Agriculture)

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20 pages, 496 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Retaining Members of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in California for Economic Sustainability: What Characteristics Affect Retention Rates?

by Ryan E. Galt, Julia Van Soelen Kim, Kate Munden-Dixon, Libby O. Christensen and Katharine Bradley

Sustainability 2019, 11(9), 2489; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11092489 - 28 Apr 2019

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3564

Abstract

Community supported agriculture (CSA) is one response to major ecological and social problems in the conventional agrifood system. Here we are concerned with how CSA management can enhance the economic sustainability of CSAs. More specifically, using a survey of 111 CSA farms in [...] Read more.

Community supported agriculture (CSA) is one response to major ecological and social problems in the conventional agrifood system. Here we are concerned with how CSA management can enhance the economic sustainability of CSAs. More specifically, using a survey of 111 CSA farms in California, we analyze how specific variables in five domains—CSA management characteristics, farmer characteristics, farm characteristics, economic characteristics, and region—influence retention rates (the proportion of CSA members continuing from one year to the next). Our analysis involves first conducting bivariate correlations, then building a simple causal model that theorizes the direction of causation, then constructing a series of ordinary least squares (OLS) multiple regression models to hold constant independent variables. Our discussion draws out recommendations from our findings for CSA farmers and organizations that support CSA, including increasing the length of the season, increasing crop type diversity, including fruit in standard shares, bringing farming practices into line with organic standards, working with other CSAs to reduce inter-CSA competition, and changing marketing regions for farms in certain regions that appear to be highly saturated. We conclude by identifying more collective routes that CSAs can take to cultivate “CSA people” for a more sustainable economic dimension of CSAs in the long term. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of Community Supported Agriculture)

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23 pages, 467 KiB

Open AccessArticle

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

by Marilyn Sitaker, Jared T. McGuirt, Weiwei Wang, Jane Kolodinsky and Rebecca A. Seguin

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 2081; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072081 - 08 Apr 2019

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3534

Abstract

To open new markets, some farmers have adapted direct-to-consumer (DTC) models, such as Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), to reach new settings or audiences. We compared sociodemographic and geospatial contexts to farmers’ experience with one of two DTC innovations: a cost-offset CSA for low-income [...] Read more.

To open new markets, some farmers have adapted direct-to-consumer (DTC) models, such as Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), to reach new settings or audiences. We compared sociodemographic and geospatial contexts to farmers’ experience with one of two DTC innovations: a cost-offset CSA for low-income families and food boxes distributed through rural convenience stores. We geocoded addresses of thirteen farms and DTC pickup sites in two U.S. states (Vermont and Washington) and calculated road network distances from pickup to supermarket, farmers’ market, and farm. We compiled Census block-level demographic and transportation data, and compared it to postseason interviews to explore the effect of suitability of the pickup location; proximity to food retail; and potential farmer burden. Most pickup areas were heavily car-dependent, with low walkability and few public transportation options. Conventional sources of fresh produce were within six miles of most pickups, but farmers markets were further away. Despite modest profitability, both models were deemed worth pursuing, as they expanded farmers’ customer base. Farmers implementing the store-distributed food box were sensitive to market trends and customer needs in choosing pickup location. Farmers seemed more concerned with marketing in convenience store settings, and finding efficient ways to conduct recordkeeping than with delivery distances. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of Community Supported Agriculture)

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14 pages, 1753 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Stakeholder Salience Model Revisited: Evidence from Agri-Food Cooperatives in Spain

by Cristina Pedrosa Ortega, Mª Jesús Hernández-Ortiz, Elia García Martí and Manuel Carlos Vallejo Martos

Sustainability 2019, 11(3), 574; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11030574 - 22 Jan 2019

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3906

Abstract

In recent decades, the importance of cooperatives in agri-food markets has been evident. Specifically, in Spain they represent a very important part of the agri-food industry. However, there is no significant evidence of substantial differences in their management, different from the general business [...] Read more.

In recent decades, the importance of cooperatives in agri-food markets has been evident. Specifically, in Spain they represent a very important part of the agri-food industry. However, there is no significant evidence of substantial differences in their management, different from the general business case. The main objective of this study is to examine how a certain organizational context influences manager decisions and perceptions. The purpose is studying whether this influence causes changes to the main conclusions of the stakeholder salience original model. The working methodology consists of carrying out an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (from the data of 352 agri-food cooperatives in Spain) in order to test the psychometric properties of measurement scales, and the hypothesized relationships between attributes and stakeholder salience results are examined using structural equation modeling. Results show that the measurement of the stakeholder salience varies in agri-food cooperatives. The contributions of this study are to confirm that: (1) in agri-food cooperatives legitimacy is the first measurement of stakeholder salience, unlike the general business case where that is power; (2) the attribute of urgency remains unchanged from the proposed model; and (3) add to the original model the attribute of durability because of the permanence of the interest of stakeholders in agri-food cooperatives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of Community Supported Agriculture)

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18 pages, 1938 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Service Supply Effect of Cooperatives under Economic Transformation: A Demand-Supply Perspective

by Xiangyu Wu and Yunlong Ding

Sustainability 2018, 10(9), 3075; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10093075 - 29 Aug 2018

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3549

Abstract

As an important part of the sustainable development of agriculture in China, cooperatives have become a hot topic. However, previous literature has mixed results on the relationship between quantity growth and service supply effect of cooperatives. By conducting multiple correspondence analysis, descriptive statistics, [...] Read more.

As an important part of the sustainable development of agriculture in China, cooperatives have become a hot topic. However, previous literature has mixed results on the relationship between quantity growth and service supply effect of cooperatives. By conducting multiple correspondence analysis, descriptive statistics, and Pearson’s chi-square test on survey data of 785 farmers, this paper aims to describe the characteristics of cooperatives’ members and evaluate the current state of cooperatives’ service supply from a demand-supply perspective. The results of the survey show that male, middle-aged, and middle-class farmers or farmers who plant local optimal crops are more likely to become the members of cooperatives. There is a huge gap between service supply and demand of farmers; cooperatives have a positive effect on reducing the degree of service demand. This effect is only significant when concerning sale, pest control, and mechanization. On the whole, there is a weak correlative relationship between the current service supply of cooperatives and the service demand of farmers in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of Community Supported Agriculture)

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21 pages, 298 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gaining and Maintaining a Competitive Edge: Evidence from CSA Members and Farmers on Local Food Marketing Strategies

by Emily H. Morgan, Michelle M. Severs, Karla L. Hanson, Jared McGuirt, Florence Becot, Weiwei Wang, Jane Kolodinsky, Marilyn Sitaker, Stephanie B. Jilcott Pitts, Alice Ammerman and Rebecca A. Seguin

Sustainability 2018, 10(7), 2177; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10072177 - 26 Jun 2018

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 6465

Abstract

Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is a widely-used approach for farmers to sell directly to consumers. We used the product, place, price, and promotion (4P) marketing mix framework to examine characteristics that help farms offering CSA maintain member satisfaction and thus competitiveness. We conducted semi-structured [...] Read more.

Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is a widely-used approach for farmers to sell directly to consumers. We used the product, place, price, and promotion (4P) marketing mix framework to examine characteristics that help farms offering CSA maintain member satisfaction and thus competitiveness. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 CSA members and 24 CSA farmers in four states. CSA members additionally completed a modified choice experiment. Qualitative data were coded iteratively, and choice experiment data were summarized and compared across scenarios. CSA members and farmers were motivated by a range of personal, social, environmental, and economic objectives. Members favored high-quality staple vegetables (e.g., lettuce, green beans), ideally produced organically. Trust and a sense of personal connection with the farmer comprised part of the “value added” of CSA participation. Time and location of share pick-up were very important; thus, farmers tried to offer convenient sites or an enriched pick-up experience. Small changes in price appeared unlikely to impact participation among current members. Social networks and word-of-mouth were powerful for marketing, but may limit the ability to reach diverse populations. Future research should examine the ability of CSAs to meet the needs of those who do not currently participate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of Community Supported Agriculture)

Review

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15 pages, 1401 KiB

Open AccessReview

Current Status and Development Strategy for Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) in China

by Haiying Tang, Ying Liu and Guoqin Huang

Sustainability 2019, 11(11), 3008; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11113008 - 28 May 2019

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4973

Abstract

Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is considered to be a new alternative mode for agricultural development, which has developed rapidly in China and attracted the attention of scholars, because it shows great concern on food safety, environmental protection and sustainable development of agriculture. Based on [...] Read more.

Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is considered to be a new alternative mode for agricultural development, which has developed rapidly in China and attracted the attention of scholars, because it shows great concern on food safety, environmental protection and sustainable development of agriculture. Based on a comprehensive analysis of a large number of documents at home and abroad, this paper reviews the research on community-supported agriculture from the perspective of its origin, development process, characteristics, modes, functions and problems, aiming at summarizing the experiences and current problems and demonstrating recent research and development status of CSA in China in hope of providing references for its practice and research. The key conclusions in this review are: (1) CSA has a short history in China, but it is developing rapidly; (2) Chain’s CSA is characterized by a cooperative network with food safety as the primary development goal, agricultural product distribution as the main operation mode, and trust as the basis; (3) China’s CSA lacks of government’s support, and develops roughly at a small-scale. (4) With unique modes and functions, China’s CSA is facing some problems such as management, funding, talents, markets, technology and consumers’ trust. The development of CSA in China needs joint efforts from government, producers and consumers. China’s CSA needs to rely on its own advantages, make full use of its economic, social, ecological and cultural functions, combine Internet and ecological agricultural technology and explore the local modes with Chinese characteristics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of Community Supported Agriculture)

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