Perspectives from the Field: Adaptions in CSA Models in Response to Changing Times in the U.S.
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 per...
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MDPI AG
2019-06-01
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| Series: | Sustainability |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/11/3115 |
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doaj-b949096c43d74c8ea2c7471392af3f552020-11-25T00:20:31ZengMDPI AGSustainability2071-10502019-06-011111311510.3390/su11113115su11113115Perspectives from the Field: Adaptions in CSA Models in Response to Changing Times in the U.S.Diane Smith0Weiwei Wang1Lisa Chase2Hans Estrin3Julia Van Soelen Kim4Extension, Washington State University, Burlington, NJ 98233, USACenter for Rural Studies, University of Vermont, Burlington, NJ 05405, USAExtension, University of Vermont, Brattleboro, VT 05301, USAExtension, University of Vermont, Brattleboro, VT 05301, USACooperative Extension, University of California, Novato, CA 94947, USARepresenting 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/11/3115Community Supported AgricultureCooperative ExtensionFarm Fresh Food Boxes |
| collection |
DOAJ |
| language |
English |
| format |
Article |
| sources |
DOAJ |
| author |
Diane Smith Weiwei Wang Lisa Chase Hans Estrin Julia Van Soelen Kim |
| spellingShingle |
Diane Smith Weiwei Wang Lisa Chase Hans Estrin Julia Van Soelen Kim Perspectives from the Field: Adaptions in CSA Models in Response to Changing Times in the U.S. Sustainability Community Supported Agriculture Cooperative Extension Farm Fresh Food Boxes |
| author_facet |
Diane Smith Weiwei Wang Lisa Chase Hans Estrin Julia Van Soelen Kim |
| author_sort |
Diane Smith |
| title |
Perspectives from the Field: Adaptions in CSA Models in Response to Changing Times in the U.S. |
| title_short |
Perspectives from the Field: Adaptions in CSA Models in Response to Changing Times in the U.S. |
| title_full |
Perspectives from the Field: Adaptions in CSA Models in Response to Changing Times in the U.S. |
| title_fullStr |
Perspectives from the Field: Adaptions in CSA Models in Response to Changing Times in the U.S. |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Perspectives from the Field: Adaptions in CSA Models in Response to Changing Times in the U.S. |
| title_sort |
perspectives from the field: adaptions in csa models in response to changing times in the u.s. |
| publisher |
MDPI AG |
| series |
Sustainability |
| issn |
2071-1050 |
| publishDate |
2019-06-01 |
| description |
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. |
| topic |
Community Supported Agriculture Cooperative Extension Farm Fresh Food Boxes |
| url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/11/3115 |
| work_keys_str_mv |
AT dianesmith perspectivesfromthefieldadaptionsincsamodelsinresponsetochangingtimesintheus AT weiweiwang perspectivesfromthefieldadaptionsincsamodelsinresponsetochangingtimesintheus AT lisachase perspectivesfromthefieldadaptionsincsamodelsinresponsetochangingtimesintheus AT hansestrin perspectivesfromthefieldadaptionsincsamodelsinresponsetochangingtimesintheus AT juliavansoelenkim perspectivesfromthefieldadaptionsincsamodelsinresponsetochangingtimesintheus |
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1725367128725389312 |