Impacts of Community Supported Agriculture Program Participation on Consumer Food Purchases and Dietary Choice

Abstract

Few studies have assessed changes in dietary choice and food preparation habits through community supported agriculture (CSA) program membership. If CSA program participation does indeed produce attitude and behavioral change in its participants, public policy encouraging CSA program membership, such as is currently done with farmers’ markets, would provide another vehicle for fostering dietary improvements, especially in areas where farmers’ markets may not be available or accessible for targeted populations. This study attempts to explore the effects of CSA membership on consumer dietary choice and nutritional intake, as well as the potential modifications in food purchase, preparation and dining out practices.