Research & reports

· Wikipedia · Canada

Lufa Farms is an urban agriculture company founded in 2009 in Montreal, Canada, that operates commercial hydroponic greenhouses on building rooftops. It runs four rooftop greenhouses, employs about 200 people, and delivers roughly 20,000 baskets weekly to more than 500 pickup points across Quebec.

· Wikipedia · United States

Gotham Greens is a U.S. company founded in 2009 by Viraj Puri and Eric Haley that grows lettuce, herbs, and related products via hydroponics in rooftop greenhouses. Its first greenhouse (15,000 sq ft) opened in Brooklyn in May 2011, and as of 2026 it operates 13 facilities totaling over 1.8 million square feet across New York City, Chicago, and other states. The company claims up to 30 times the production efficiency per acre versus conventional field agriculture, up to 90% less water use, and 97% less land use, and raised $310 million in 2022 (cumulative funding of $440 million).

Rodrigo Calderón, Diana Garcia-Cejudo, Rob Roggema · Land · Mexico (Querétaro)

This study analyzes the paradox of food swamps, food availability, and food's ecological footprint in Querétaro, Mexico, to promote the creation of community gardens. Findings corroborate a soaring number of unhealthy food stores, elevated carbon footprints related to food production, and a community request for urban agriculture, including the regeneration of community public areas. The research proposes designing and implementing community gardens in two marginalized neighborhoods (Tlacote and San Antonio–Bolaños) in Querétaro.

Pierric 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.

Frank Seo, Darren Hudson · Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics · United States

To identify attributes that influenced consumers' choice of locally grown food sources during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, this US study estimated willingness to pay (WTP) across sources. Respondents valued Freshness, Accessibility, Variety, and Risk Shift attributes, in that order. Community-supported agriculture (CSA) had the lowest WTP among the sources examined, and respondents weighted CSAs' general weaknesses more heavily than their advantages when choosing where to buy. However, increasing levels of community outreach positively affected the probability of choosing CSAs over other sources.

J. Dominique Gumirakiza, Autumn Milliner · Journal of Agricultural Science · United States

Using data from 172 consumers responding to a 2020 mail survey in the Southcentral Kentucky region, USA, a study applied Multinomial and Ordered Logit models to analyze farmers market attendance and likelihood of participating in a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Relative probabilities for 'never attend,' 'attend occasionally,' and 'attend frequently' were 55%, 29%, and 16% respectively, with male consumers, rural residents, primary shoppers, and those with a 2-year associate degree less likely to attend farmers markets, while more educated consumers and those satisfied with prior market experiences attended more frequently. Consumers interested in using an app to purchase fresh produce were more likely to attend farmers markets and join CSA programs, while rural residents were less likely to join a CSA program.

Annie-Pier Mercier, Gabrielle Rochefort, Julie Fortier, Geneviève J. Parent, Véronique Provencher, Simone Lemieux, Benoı̂t Lamarche · Current Developments in Nutrition · Canada

A short questionnaire measuring local food procurement behavior, the Locavore-Index Short Form (Locavore-I-SF), was developed and validated among 299 French-speaking adults (85% women) in the Quebec City metropolitan area, Canada. The 12-item, 12-point instrument covering short food supply chain use and geographic origin of carrot, tomato and lettuce showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.74), correlated strongly with the original Locavore-Index (r=0.84, P<0.0001) and with photo-verified food origin (r=0.50, P<0.0001), and was higher among gardeners than non-gardeners (mean difference 2.3±0.4 points, P<0.0001); its association with the Healthy Eating Food Index-2019 score was weak (B=0.05±0.02, P=0.02).

Mark Paul · Econstor (Econstor) · United States

In-depth interviews with community supported agriculture (CSA) farmers in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts, United States, examined their livelihoods. CSA farmers earned more farm income than other US farms and other farms in the region, but their earnings remained far below the median national household income. Despite this income shortfall, CSA farming provided non-market social, ecological and economic benefits tied to feeding the community rather than producing for mass markets, which farmers described as a significant source of well-being.

Christine Lux, Brianna Routh, Lacy Stephens · Journal of Human Sciences and Extension · United States

This exploratory study surveyed 21 parents from a campus-based preschool in the northwest United States during the 2017-2018 school year to understand the impact of the "Harvest of the Month" program on children's nutrition behavior at home. Findings indicated that a variety of program foods were served and consumed at home, but parents prioritized knowing food origins over serving local foods. Parents' knowledge of farm to ECE, reported farmer's market purchases, and CSA participation were limited, suggesting a need for targeted parent education.

Catherine Wong, Kathryn Geoffrion Scannell · University of New Hampshire Scholars Repository (University of New Hampshire at Manchester) · United States

This article suggests that establishing a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) or farm share pickup at libraries supports the local foods movement, reduces food travel distance, promotes healthy eating, and fosters community engagement. Additional benefits include donating fresh produce to food pantries. A CSA involves a relationship where members provide labor or monetary support in exchange for a share of farm produce.

Daniel Imhoff, Christina Badaracoo · Island Press/Center for Resource Economics eBooks · United States

This piece discusses the growth of the local food movement in the United States, describing consumers increasingly seeking organically grown fruits and vegetables and pasture-raised meat, eggs, and dairy, and using their food spending to support local economies, family farmers, and animal-welfare standards. It states that farmers markets and community gardens are becoming dynamic social hubs in urban areas and are pushing municipalities to change laws to allow more urban farming.

Gregory Astill, Darlington Sabasi, Johnson Gwatipedza, Astill, G., Sabasi, D., Gwatipedza, J. · AgEcon Search (University of Minnesota, USA) · United States

This study examined the relationship between direct marketing strategies and technical efficiency among U.S. farmers using stochastic frontier analysis. On average, farmers employing direct marketing strategies were found to be less technically efficient than those who do not. However, for the largest quantile of growers, direct marketing users were more technically efficient.

Eugene Mohareb, Martin Heller, Peter Guthrie · Environmental Science & Technology · United States

Using data from the literature and government sources, this study quantified life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the United States food system at an estimated 3,800 kg CO2e per capita in 2010, with cities directly influencing about two-thirds of food-sector emissions. Assessing selected mitigation measures, the study found that up-scaling urban agriculture and expanding home grocery delivery would each cut only about 0.4% and roughly 1% of total food-sector emissions respectively, whereas changes in waste management and a 50% reduction in post-distribution food waste would cut total food-sector emissions by 5% and 11% respectively.

Kenna McMrrray, Kelsey Hall, Roslynn Brain · Digital Commons - USU (Utah State University) · United States

This descriptive piece from Utah, United States, explains Community Supported Agriculture as a farming arrangement providing a direct link between the community and the grower, in which shareholders purchase a share of the CSA and receive produce at regular intervals, typically weekly. It lists potential benefits — access to local, fresh produce free of preservatives and added hormones, and support for diversified agriculture — alongside potential barriers, including the seasonality of production, a smaller variety of products and the upfront cost of a share.

Kit Yieng Chan, Michelle Chan, Oi Yan Chan, Thomas Y.K. Chan, Tsz Mei Chan, Sharon B. Chang, Kenrick Chau, Tarik Chelali · cIRcle (University of British Columbia) · Canada

Research at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada, investigated whether rooftop gardens could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and food transportation carbon emissions. While edible landscapes could potentially assist with climate goals, they require careful selection of crops, buildings, and resources. Preliminary calculations indicated that rooftop and community gardens would do very little to reduce the UBC campus's dependency on imported food.

Kenrett Y. Jefferson-Moore, Richard Robbins, Daniel L. Johnson, Jefferson-Moore, Kenrett Y., Robbins, Richard D., Johnson, Daniel · AgEcon Search (University of Minnesota, USA) · United States (North Carolina)

This study evaluated consumer perceptions of organic and locally grown produce at farmers' markets in North Carolina, focusing on the Piedmont Triad region. Using qualitative methods with focus groups from five locations, preliminary findings showed consumers distinguish local and organic foods only by labeling. Participants had limited knowledge of organic certification, and while most purchased more local foods, they were willing to pay up to 100% more for organic food.

Heidi M. Blanck, Olivia M. Thompson, Linda Nebeling, Amy L. Yaroch · PubMed · United States

This study analyzed data from 1,994 US adults from the National Cancer Institute's Food Attitudes and Behaviors Survey to assess the use of farm-to-consumer venues for purchasing fruits and vegetables. It found that 27% of grocery shoppers reported at least weekly use of these venues during summer. Older adults and those in the Northeast were most likely to use them weekly, with no differences observed by sex, race/ethnicity, education, or income.

Sarah Rabkin · · United States

Amy Courtney, founder of Freewheelin’ Farm, a community supported agriculture (CSA) program, delivers shares by bicycle-drawn trailer. Courtney, a 1997 graduate of UCSC’s Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture, started the farm in 2002 with minimal motorized vehicles, utilizing used equipment and recycled materials. She and her partners continue to haul all CSA shares six miles into Santa Cruz by bicycle. Courtney's work is driven by a commitment to social justice, community health, and cultural vitality. The farm collaborates with "Food, What?!"—a youth empowerment program, and hosts cultural and educational initiatives.

Wuyang Hu, Marvin T. Batte, Timothy A. Woods, Stanley C. Ernst, Hu, Wuyang, Batte, Marvin T., Woods, Timothy A., Ernst, Stanley C. · AgEcon Search (University of Minnesota, USA) · United States

This study used survey data from two US states to answer two questions: what is the maximum distance food can travel and still be considered "local" by consumers, and is "local" equally important across food categories. The research found that consumers' accepted food travel distance may be much shorter than generally believed. Additionally, there is significant variation in the importance consumers attach to "being local" for different food categories, and these differences are related to consumer characteristics.

Ernarosa Tominich · Educational Media Reviews Online · United States (Chicago)

"Simple Living with Wanda Urbanska" is a 2008 documentary exploring themes of land use, energy conservation, and urban "green earth" movements in major American cities. Host Wanda Urbanska conducts interviews and visits projects like green rooftop gardens and city farms on vacant lots. The documentary features a Chicago family demonstrating a "green" lifestyle, including communal gardening and local shopping.

Rich Pirog, Rebecca Rasmussen · Iowa State University Digital Repository (Iowa State University) · United States

This study determined which transportation option -- farmer delivery or customer pick-up -- consumed less fuel and emitted less CO2 for an Iowa community-supported agriculture (CSA) enterprise. The method used the CSA farmer's actual delivery route(s) including customer addresses, the type of delivery vehicle used, and a hypothetical central pick-up location and time, calculating mileage via Mapquest and fuel/emissions using Bureau of Transportation Statistics and EPA data across four vehicle categories: Ford Ranger, Dodge Caravan, Toyota Prius, and U.S. average passenger vehicle fuel economy. Delivery using a Toyota Prius resulted in 2.77 times lower fuel usage and CO2 emissions than customer pick-up using U.S. average fuel economy; however, even if all CSA customers used a Toyota Prius for pick-up, farmer delivery remained more fuel efficient, though only by a factor of 1.35.

Sigrid Stagl, Sabine O’Hara · International Journal of Agricultural Resources Governance and Ecology · United States (New York City)

This study examined whether Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) groups are a broadly accepted or limited alternative food system, based on a household survey in two distinct socio-economic neighborhoods in upstate New York. The survey found that approximately 25% of respondents expressed interest in becoming CSA members, with similar interest levels in both wealthier and low-income areas. However, several factors preventing food demand through CSAs were identified, indicating that these barriers would need to be addressed for expansion.