Reasoning & Evidence
Taking the relationship between farmers and consumers one step further, community supported agriculture involves purchasing produce directly from farms. Consumers make an upfront investment at the beginning of the growing season, which farmers use to grow and deliver food on a regular basis. Members are often united by their desire for a healthier, more sustainable food system, creating a shared cause to come together around.(81) In doing so, CSA initiatives enhance trust between members, strengthen community resilience, and contribute to both bonding and bridging social capital.(82) From picking up produce on a weekly basis to volunteering on the farm, CSA members and farmers have several opportunities to connect face-to-face on a regular basis both among themselves and with each other.(83) These in-person moments can be supplemented by online communication through group chats, social media, and email to share recipes, events, and organizational updates.(84) Other research suggests that CSA membership does not significantly contribute to creating social capital, although this may be partly attributed to the fact that many members learn about CSA programs through existing relationships.(85) Therefore, opportunities to better understand the impacts of CSA on social connection are needed.
Examples of Community Implementation
Chicago, Illinois: Urban Growers Collective (UGC) is a Black- and women-led nonprofit based in Chicago dedicated to building more just and equitable food systems, connecting community members in the process. Through its CSA program, weekly boxes are stocked with vegetables and herbs from UGC’s urban farms, supplemented by fruits and microgreens from local partners. Grower and Herbalism Apprenticeships offer collective learning experiences that deepen participants’ local knowledge and connection to the land, contributing to the community’s resilience in times of hardship.
Arkansas: Arkansas consistently has one of the highest rates of food insecurity in the country, ranking #1 as of 2023.(86) Cobblestone Farms is dedicated to providing hunger relief through its CSA program, offering harvest shares for most of the year. Through donating to food pantries, offering volunteering opportunities, and facilitating workshops, Cobblestone Farms is using its role as a food supplier to form relationships with community members and organizations.
Reference: The SOCIAL Framework Report: Food and Nutrition Sector