Enrolling low-income families in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): Reducing barriers to eating locally through access and education

As the incidence of nutrition-related illnesses continues to rise in the U.S., low-income and minority populations suffer disproportionately. Such populations face additional barriers to eating a healthy diet, including education, income, and environment. Even as local and organic trends take hold in some communities to encourage healthy eating habits, these disparities persist. In order to address these concerns, the Local Foods Connection (LFC), a non-profit organization based in Iowa City, Iowa, enrolls low-income families in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. Local, chemical-free CSA farms provide each family with a box of produce each week throughout the growing season. Through LFC's educational programming, each family also receives recipes, tips, and nutritional facts to help them make use of their produce. Each participant has the opportunity to complete farm visits, volunteer work, and educational activities to earn points towards kitchen equipment and cookbooks. By participating in LFC, families gain access to the freshest and most nutritious fruits and vegetables available, and knowledge of nutrition and earth-friendly farming methods. CSA farmers increase diversity in the members they serve, and individuals in the community gain a connection to each other and to the land through enjoying local foods. In 2008-2009, participants of the program completed pre- and post-program surveys assessing their knowledge of, attitudes toward, and consumption of fruits and vegetables. Participants are expected to demonstrate increased knowledge of the health, community, and environmental benefits of eating locally, consumption of fruits and vegetables, and self-efficacy to eat healthy.