Squaring Farm Security and Food Security in Two Types of Alternative Food Institutions*

Abstract

Even though both farmers' markets and community supported agriculture were first developed to provide markets for farmers, recently the goals of food security have been attached to these market‐based alternative food institutions, based on their potential to be 'win‐win” economic solutions for both small‐scale farmers and low‐income consumers. This article reports on survey and interview research conducted in California during 2004–2005 designed to examine to what extent CSAs and farmers' markets are addressing food security in both concept and practice. Findings show that managers of these institutions generally support the idea of improving the affordability of the food they provide, and most have made an effort to do so, although these efforts vary with institutional capacity. Still, some hedged their interest in supporting food security goals with countervailing concerns such as the need to support farmers first. It is ironic, then, that the way that private CSAs and farmers' markets achieve some elements of food security is by virtue of the support of public food assistance programs.

Linking vegetable preferences, health and local food systems through community-supported agriculture

“…CSA is considered a 'win-win' for farmers and consumers. Farmers gain a direct market while members have greater access to seasonal and diverse local foods, and opportunities to know and trust the source of their foods (15)(16)(17) .…”

“…As a result, CSA operators are developing creative methods (sliding-scale share costs, instalment payment options and subsidization of shares with additional funds) to reach people with lower incomes. In a mail survey of CSA managers, Guthman et al found that 83 % of respondents had tried at least one strategy to attract low-income participants (15,18) . Without sliding-scale share prices, or share subsidy programmes, studies have found 'limited socio-economic diversity among CSA members, with most being middle-class, urban, white and highly educated' (19) , often creating a considerable income gap between the CSA farmers and the members they feed (20) .…”

Community Food Systems: Strengthening the Research-to-Practice Continuum

“…At least potentially, some of these efforts might also benefit small to medium-scale farmers looking for alternative marketing outlets. Marshall's paper on community food security concludes: "The literature reviewed shows the difficulty of both supporting food security and small scale local farmers" (2011, p. 22; see also Allen, 1999;Baker, 2003;Guthman, Morris, & Allen, 2006;Johnston & Baker, 2005). Even organizations whose leaders deeply believe in both these goals have a hard time achieving them simultaneously (Johnston & Baker, 2005).…”

Enhancing Adaptive Capacity in Food Systems: Learning at Farmers' Markets in Sweden

“…The economic benefits lie in the potential to retain a greater proportion of the money spent on food in the local economy, and the environmental advantages are associated with less ecologically depleting farming systems . Local food system advocates argue that eliminating market intermediaries improves the outcome for small-scale farmers and low-income consumers compared with the conventional food market (Guthman et al 2006). Thus, many scholars have embraced local agro-food initiatives as a solution to the problems of global industrial agriculture (cf.…”

“…The ability to afford the produce is a determining factor for customer visits to a farmers' market (Guthman et al 2006). Many farmers' markets are located in high-end areas because the farmers can make more money there (cf.…”