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- Title
The perceived influence of cost-offset community-supported agriculture on food access among low-income families.
- Authors
White, Michelle J; Jilcott Pitts, Stephanie B; McGuirt, Jared T; Hanson, Karla L; Morgan, Emily H; Kolodinsky, Jane; Wang, Weiwei; Sitaker, Marilyn; Ammerman, Alice S; Seguin, Rebecca A
- Abstract
<bold>Objective: </bold>To examine perspectives on food access among low-income families participating in a cost-offset community-supported agriculture (CO-CSA) programme.<bold>Design: </bold>Farm Fresh Foods for Healthy Kids (F3HK) is a multicentre randomized intervention trial assessing the effect of CO-CSA on dietary intake and quality among children from low-income families. Focus groups were conducted at the end of the first CO-CSA season. Participants were interviewed about programme experiences, framed by five dimensions of food access: availability, accessibility, affordability, acceptability and accommodation. Transcribed data were coded on these dimensions plus emergent themes.<bold>Setting: </bold>Nine communities in the US states of New York, North Carolina, Washington and Vermont.<bold>Subjects: </bold>Fifty-three F3HK adults with children.<bold>Results: </bold>CSA models were structured by partner farms. Produce quantity was abundant; however, availability was enhanced for participants who were able to select their own produce items. Flexible CSA pick-up times and locations made produce pick-up more accessible. Despite being affordable to most, payment timing was a barrier for some. Unfamiliar foods and quick spoilage hindered acceptability through challenging meal planning, despite accommodations that included preparation advice.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Although CO-CSA may facilitate increased access to fruits and vegetables for low-income families, perceptions of positive diet change may be limited by the ability to incorporate share pick-up into regular travel patterns and meal planning. Food waste concerns may be particularly acute for families with constrained resources. Future research should examine whether CO-CSA with flexible logistics and produce self-selection are sustainable for low-income families and CSA farms.
- Subjects
COMMUNITY-supported agriculture; POOR communities; HEALTH programs; CHILD nutrition; CHILDHOOD obesity
- Publication
Public Health Nutrition, 2018, Vol 21, Issue 15, p2866
- ISSN
1368-9800
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1017/S1368980018001751