Improving Food Security through Cost-offset Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
Community-supported agriculture (CSA) has the potential to improve access to fresh, local fruits and vegetables, yet low-income households seldom participate due to cost and other barriers. Even at a reduced cost, some participants from low-income households pick up their shares often, and others seldom.
Cost-offset CSA, or subsidized CSA, generally reduces CSA costs by 50%, offers weekly payment plans, and accepts SNAP/EBT as payment. However, operational features other than cost, such as share sizes, pick-up sites, payment options, and produce selection, may hinder (or facilitate) robust participation in cost-offset CSA.
Karla Hanson and her team recently completed a review of published evidence that suggested 13 recommendations for implementing cost-offset CSA that meets the needs and preferences of low-income households. They interviewed local residents in Syracuse and Elmira and found that a shorter time commitment to the program was key to enrolling in cost-offset CSA. Based on this feedback, the team is now piloting a 4-week ‘Try-It’ cost-offset CSA share during the Summer of 2024 & 2025. This past summer the pilot was able to reach 44 people.
Several MPH students assisted in this work. Claire Concepcion (MPH ’23) participated in the scoping review and is co-author of that manuscript, and Esther Kim (MPH ’24) analyzed resident interviews and helped to select the CSA operational change to pilot (both as their ILEs). MPH students Keshika Gopinathan (APE) and Anthony DiBenedetto collected data at CSA pick-up locations in Summer 2024.
Two local farms are partners in this ongoing work: