Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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410 results(3 / 17)
Food sovereignty at the organizational level: a framework for characterizing the diversity of economic actors
2025Matthias Middendorf, Christian Herzig · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Global
This study conceptualizes the diversity of Economic Actors striving for Food Sovereignty (EAFS) at the organizational level through an integrative literature review of 108 publications. It proposes a framework with three themes: conditions shaping EAFS, their economic-related characteristics along the agri-food supply chain, and their organizational-related characteristics. The framework reveals that EAFS combine alternative and conventional elements in varying configurations, highlighting food sovereignty as a multifaceted organizational phenomenon.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsCSA & TeikeiBenefits of Nutrition Education in Local Community Supported Agriculture Sites: A Case Study
2025Bree Bode, Sarah L. Mott, Jacob M. Cutler, Nicole Jess, Sarah Panken, Marci Scott · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · United States (Michigan)
Nutrition education was provided to SNAP-eligible shoppers at Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) sites in Michigan. This multi-phase, mixed-methods study evaluated the delivery of nutrition education, shopper needs, and behavioral outcomes through outcome surveys, staff feedback, educator activity logs, and focus groups with shoppers and educators. Results indicated significantly higher fruit and vegetable consumption among shoppers compared to national SNAP incentive participants, and qualitative themes included relating over transacting and personalized experiential education.
CSA & TeikeiFood educationWelfareHealthLifelong learning in sustainability-led initiatives: Exploring their learning potential along the reworked four pillars of education
2025Lena Schmeiduch, Émile Thévenot · International Review of Education · Global
This study explored the potential for lifelong learning within sustainability-led initiatives, such as ecovillages and community-supported agriculture, through the theoretical lens of Noah Sobe's four pillars of lifelong education. While these initiatives offer opportunities to address sustainability-related challenges, their insular nature and limited accessibility have drawn criticism in the literature on sustainability transitions. The analysis suggests that these initiatives and lifelong learning agendas frequently converge in their framing of sustainability issues.
Equity & displacementCSA & TeikeiCommunityFood educationEconomicsExperiences from a land-based learning project focused on local food interventions
2024Abbey Palmer, Phillip Warsaw, Aaron J. McKim, R. Bud McKendree, Marion Nettleton, Tiffany Marzolino, Haley Brasier · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · United States
This study evaluated a land-based learning program in northern Michigan, involving two schools, two teachers, their students, food-service directors, local farmers, and a university extension educator. The program delivered farm-to-school content through 20 instructional sessions, leading students to identify and implement interventions to increase local food in school lunches. Findings indicate that this framework offers similar benefits to traditional farm-to-school programs, with added flexibility and educational advantages.
Food educationCommunityCSA & TeikeiExploring Community-Supported Agriculture through Maslow’s Hierarchy: A Systematic Review of Research Themes and Trends
2024Xiaofan Tian, Ruifang Zhang, Zifan Wang, Xinna Kang, Zhixin Yang · Agriculture · Global
This systematic review analyzed Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) literature from 1999 to 2023 to identify research themes and trends, corroborating Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory. The review found a geographical expansion of CSA research from North America to Asia and Africa, and a societal shift from basic sustenance to a deeper understanding of nutrition and diet. Recent research emphasizes "environment" and "health and education," aligning with higher-level needs in Maslow's theory.
CSA & TeikeiFood sovereignty & justiceHealthEconomicsStructural equations modelling applied to the study of Communities Supported Agriculture (CSAs) located in the Southeastern region of Brazil
2024Gustavo Alves de Melo, Luiz Gonzaga de Castro Júnior, Eduardo Gomes Carvalho, Maria Gabriela Mendonça Peixoto, Samuel Borges Barbosa, Patrícia Guarnieri dos Santos, André Luiz Marques Serrano, Lucas Oliveira Gomes Ferreira, José Baltazar Salgueirinho Osório de Andrade Guerra · DYNA · Brazil
This descriptive, quantitative study used structural equation modeling to investigate the relationship between various Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) variables in Southeastern Brazil. The study confirmed that socioeconomic characteristics positively influence CSA performance. Limitations included data collection methods and difficulties from the Covid-19 pandemic.
CSA & TeikeiEconomicsCommunityDesigning Food Hubs for Territories of Proximity: Assessing the Spatial, Ecological, and Cultural Potentials of Places through Multi-Criteria Decision Support Systems
2024Sara Favargiotti, Giulia Zantedeschi, Angelica Pianegonda, Matteo Brunelli, Michele Urbani · Land · Italy
This study explored how local and sustainable food distribution models, such as Alternative Food Networks and community-supported agriculture, can integrate into landscape planning and design. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a multi-criteria decision analysis method, the research focused on Food Hub localization. It tested questions regarding distribution method choice and optimal location with the "L’Ortazzo" Association, a solidarity purchasing group in Italy's Valsugana valley.
CSA & TeikeiFood sovereignty & justicePolicyEconomicsDesigning a community-supported agriculture model for increasing food security
2024M. Malek Lou, S M Mirdamadi, Shahab Alddin Alddin Shokri, S. J. F. Hosseini · Brazilian Journal of Biology · Iran
A survey study was conducted in Ghazel Dareh village, Markazi province, Iran, to design a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model for increasing food security. Questionnaires were administered to 110 active farmers, with 84 responses collected. The results indicated that economic, socio-institutional, policy-making, educational, and infrastructural factors significantly influenced CSA development. Infrastructural factors had the largest effect (impact factor 0.88), while socio-institutional factors had the smallest (impact factor 0.54). All impact factors were positive, suggesting that improving these factors could enhance CSA development in the study area.
CSA & TeikeiFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPolicyRénover Cleveland : démolition, racisme et agriculture urbaine dans l’Amérique abandonnée
2024Pierric Calenge, Maie Gérardot · Métropolitiques · United States (Cleveland)
The work by Max Rousseau and Vincent Béal illuminates the ambiguities of a policy that organizes urban decline and racial segregation in Cleveland. This policy promotes urban degrowth and racial segregation, balancing algorithmic management and urban greening. The study focuses on the Rust Belt region, which experiences de-urbanization marked by the subprime crisis, racism, and segregation.
Equity & displacementCommunityPolicyEconomicsUrban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceHealthWelfareClimate changeBiodiversityFood educationElderlyFood lossOrganic cyclePollinatorsHeirloom & landraceFood miles & supply chainCSA & TeikeiPeri-urban agricultureDigital agricultureDIYCompostFood educationWelfareElderlyFood lossOrganic cycleCommunityBiodiversityPollinatorsPolicyHealthEconomicsHeirloom & landraceUrban–rural linkageFood miles & supply chainCSA & TeikeiPeri-urban agricultureClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceDigital agricultureInvestigating consumers’ experiences with community supported agriculture: Convergent parallel design methods
2024Yuanyuan Huang, Yuhan Wang, Y. Pan · PLoS ONE · China
This study investigated the experiences of current Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) members in China, focusing on factors influencing their retention intentions. Using a convergent parallel mixed methods approach, it analyzed quantitative data on retention factors and qualitative data from member interviews. Findings indicate that convenience, product quality, and positive interactions are pivotal factors contributing to members' intentions to continue their CSA memberships.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityEconomicsWho's near the local food? A regional proximity analysis of short food supply chain types in southern New England
2024Shawn A. Trivette, Shannon McCarragher · Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems · United States (New England)
This paper examined three types of locally oriented Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs) in southern New England and their spatial alignment with demographic factors. The findings indicate that pay-as-you-go operations are more prevalent in predominantly White areas and, to some extent, higher-income areas. Box share arrangements (community-supported agricultures) showed stronger associations with educational attainment. The study concludes that local food availability is a systematically uneven phenomenon, varying with both outlet type and social characteristics.
Equity & displacementCSA & TeikeiEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceWelfareUrban farming and food supply: A comparative review of USA and African cities
2024Adekunle Stephen Toromade, Deborah Aanuoluwa Soyombo, Eseoghene Kupa, Tochukwu Ignatius Ijomah · International Journal of Advanced Economics · United States
This comparative review examines urban farming dynamics and its impact on food supply in the United States and African cities. It explores challenges and opportunities, considering factors such as infrastructure, socio-economic conditions, and agricultural practices in both regions. The review highlights policies and technological advancements in the USA, while discussing rapid urbanization and limited resources as challenges in African contexts.
Food sovereignty & justicePolicyEconomicsCommunityDigital agricultureCSA & TeikeiPlacing community supported agriculture in local food systems
2024Jairus Rossi, Tim Woods · International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability · United States
This study examined the perceived links between Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and local food systems (LFSs) among consumers in 13 communities in the Southeastern United States, using survey responses. It found that residents were more aware of CSA if they knew about other direct markets or were exposed to local food campaigns. Consumers also evaluated CSA performance more positively if they had similar evaluations of direct markets and experience with on-farm activities, with these patterns varying by location.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceFrom expectation to action: an empirical study of the role of confidence
2024Jasmina Božić, Armano Srbljinović, Snježana Mihinica · Emotions and Society · Croatia
This study investigated the formation of expectations and the links between expectations and action among 29 Croatian micro-producers of organic fruits and vegetables. Thematic analysis was conducted based on interviews with entrepreneurs from all Croatian counties and the City of Zagreb. Four recurring themes linking participants' expectations and action were revealed, and acceptance and recognition as members of community-supported agriculture groups, along with access to specific resources as members of organic producer associations, were identified as key drivers of optimism and confidence among participants.
CSA & TeikeiEconomicsCommunityModelación de ecuaciones estructurales aplicada al estudio de Agricultura Apoyada por Comunidades (AAC) ubicadas en la región Sudeste de Brasil
2024Gustavo Alves de Melo, Luiz Gonzaga de Castro Júnior, Eduardo Gomes Carvalho, Maria Gabriela Mendonça Peixoto, Samuel Borges Barbosa, Patrícia Guarnieri dos Santos, André Luiz Marques Serrano, Lucas Oliveira Gomes Ferreira, José Baltazar Salgueirinho Osório de Andrade Guerra · Magazine Portal Bibliotech Digital (Universidad Nacional de Colombia) · Brazil
This descriptive, quantitative study investigated the relationship between various Communities Supported Agriculture (CSA) variables in Southeastern Brazil using Structural Equation Modeling. The study confirmed that socioeconomic characteristics positively influence CSAs’ performance. However, limitations were identified regarding the data collection method and difficulties imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Methodological critiqueCSA & TeikeiEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceThe Geography of Community Supported Agriculture
2024Catharina Any Sulistyowati, Suraya Afiff, Muhammad Baiquni, Mia Siscawati · Jurnal Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik · Global
This study contributes to the geographic mapping of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) studies in Scopus-indexed social science journals, tracing the emergence and development of diverse CSA models, its political economy context, and the pattern of research themes across geographic areas. Findings reveal that the urban middle class in industrial countries can encourage farmers to produce healthy food and apply more sustainable farming systems. A limitation of this study is the lack of literature on CSA from non-western or non-industrialized countries.
CSA & TeikeiEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkagePerceived resilience of community supported agriculture in Germany
2024Anna Rosman, Joseph MacPherson, Marie Arndt, Katharina Helming · Agricultural Systems · Germany
This study investigated the impact of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) structures on farm resilience among CSA farmers in Germany. A mixed methodology was applied, combining a case study with one CSA farmer and a survey of CSA farmers across Germany. The findings indicated that CSA provides mechanisms for improving farm resilience through increased income security, risk protection, market independence, and satisfaction. CSA farmers demonstrated a high level of perceived resilience compared to non-CSA farmers.
Economic viabilityCSA & TeikeiCommunityEconomicsFostering sustainable agriculture: An exploration of localised food systems through community supported agriculture
2024Ming-Jie Tay, Tuan Hock Ng, Ying-San Lim · Environmental and Sustainability Indicators · Malaysia
To explore farmers' motivations for participating in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs in Malaysia, 15 farmers were interviewed one-on-one at their farms using snowball sampling, with each session lasting 1-2 hours. The findings indicated that CSA not only provides economic benefits for farmers but also promotes eco-friendly food production and distribution, while enhancing social equity within local communities. The three qualitative indicators inherent to CSA serve as essential pillars advocating for the expansion of CSA initiatives and a supportive policy environment for sustainable food production systems.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justicePolicyFactors Associated with Participation in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) among Low-Income Households: A Scoping Review
2024Karla L. Hanson, Claire Concepcion, Leah C. Volpe · Nutrients · United States
This scoping review explored factors associated with Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) participation among low-income households in the United States. Analyzing 18 articles, findings suggested that women may be more likely than men to enroll in CSA. A lack of familiarity with CSA may hinder enrollment, whereas more education and self-efficacy for food preparation may facilitate participation.
Equity & displacementCSA & TeikeiWelfareEconomicsSelecting and operationalizing indicators for a comparative sustainability assessment of urban agriculture on the example of vertical farming and community supported agriculture
2024Martina Artmann, Marie Herzig, Henriette John · Discover Cities · Global
This study provides a framework for selecting and operationalizing indicators for a comparative sustainability assessment of different urban agriculture types, exemplified by Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and vertical farming. Based on a qualitative content analysis of vision guidelines, results suggest that CSA can be considered the more sustainable form across all three sustainability dimensions. However, considering vertical farming's main benefit is increased food production efficiency, it is suggested to balance its shortcomings and lack of vision on social justice, biodiversity conservation, and food quality by fostering a hybrid model of community supported vertical farming. This suggestion implies that vertical farming alone has limited effects in these aspects.
Limited or null effectCSA & TeikeiEconomicsClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceBeyond Fields and Families: Unraveling Socio-demographic Threads in CSA Engagement of Indonesian Market
2024Maula Fadhilata Rahmatika, Agus Suman, Wildan Syafitri, Sri Muljaningsih · Journal of Ecohumanism · Indonesia
This study examined socio-demographic factors influencing Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) participation among 385 Indonesian non-participants. Findings reveal that urban residents and larger households are more likely to join CSA due to better information access and convenience. Income showed a near-significant impact, while education showed no effect, highlighting awareness gaps.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityEconomicsPolicyPengaruh Green Marketing terhadap Purchase Intention melalui Brand Image bagi Konsumen Produk Sayur Organik (Studi Kasus CSA Seni Tani di Arcamanik, Kota Bandung)
2024Ghulam Fathir Authar Insaniy, Lastini Lastini, Sofiatin Sofiatin · Jurnal Agristan · Indonesia (Bandung)
This study investigated the influence of green marketing on purchase intention through brand image among 34 consumers of CSA Seni Tani's organic vegetable products in Arcamanik, Bandung City, from September to November 2023. Analysis using Structural Equation Modeling showed that while the influence of green marketing on purchase intention through brand image was positive, it was not statistically significant, indicating that brand image was not effective as a mediator between the two variables.
CSA & TeikeiEconomicsOrganic cycleThe Integrating Cultural Aspects Into Diabetes Education (INCLUDE) Study to Prevent Diabetes in Chinese Immigrants: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
2024Lu Hu, Nelson Lin, Yun Shi, Jiepin Cao, Mary Ann Sevick, Huilin Li, Jeannette M. Beasley, Natalie Levy, Kosuke Tamura, Xinyi Xu, Yulin Jiang, IRIS H. ONG, Ximin Yang, Yujie Bai, Liwen Su, Sze Wan Chan, Stella S. Yi · JMIR Research Protocols · United States
The INCLUDE study protocol describes a 3-year randomized controlled trial (n=150) to test a social media-based intervention adapting the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) for Chinese immigrants in the US, combined with a culturally adapted, community-supported agriculture program. Participants with prediabetes or at risk for T2D are randomized, with the intervention group (n=75) receiving 12 weeks of DPP videos, biweekly phone support, and 10 weeks of produce. Weight is the primary outcome, measured at baseline, 3-month, and 6-month intervals.
HealthCSA & TeikeiCommunityAssessing Healthy Effects between Local Level Farmer’s Markets and Community-Supported Agriculture and Physical Well-Being at the State Level
2024Patsy Kraeger, Rhonda Phillips, J. H. Lubin, Jonathan Weir, Kristina R. Patterson · Sustainability · United States
This study investigated the connection between local farmers markets (FMs), community-supported agriculture (CSAs), and physical well-being at the state level across the 50 states of the United States. Analyzing 2016 data from the United States Department of Agriculture using an ordinal logistic regression model, the study found an inconclusive relationship at the state level. While local FMs and CSAs may increase physical well-being, this study did not find such an increase.
Limited or null effectCSA & TeikeiHealthEconomicsLocal Food System Approaches to Address Food and Nutrition Security among Low-Income Populations: A Systematic Review
2024Katharine Garrity, Kathleen Krzyzanowski Guerra, Hannah Hart, Khawlah Al-Muhanna, Emily C. Kunkler, Ashlea Braun, K. Poppe, Kara Johnson, Emma Lazor, Yang Liu, Jennifer Garner · Advances in Nutrition · United States
A systematic review of 34 studies (37 articles) from 2000-2020 evaluated the impact of local food system (SVC) models on food and nutrition security among low-income populations in the United States. Farmers market interventions were more extensively evaluated than other SVC models, with fruit and vegetable intake being the most measured outcome. Barriers to SVC use included lack of program awareness, limited accessibility, and cultural incongruence, while facilitators included health-promoting environments, community cohesion, financial incentives, and high-quality produce.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsHealthCSA & Teikei