Community-Supported Agriculture in the Research Triangle Region of North Carolina: Demographics and Effects of Membership on Household Food Supply and Diet

Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is relatively new in North Carolina and growing rapidly with approximately 60 CSA farms. CSA members belonging to 5 farms in the Research Triangle (central) region of North Carolina were administered a survey instrument designed to collect data in the following areas: (1) demographic characteristics, (2) how members first learned about their CSA and reasons for joining, (3) the different sources from which fruit and vegetables enter the household, (4) outcomes and utilization of their weekly CSA share, and (5) fruit and vegetable consumption. The survey was distributed to 448 members of 5 CSA farms during the 2007 season and a non-CSA control group (n = 97); 210 CSA member surveys were completed and analyzed. Findings indicated that CSA members tend to be Caucasian, middle-aged, married, economically secure, and highly educated. The primary ways consumers heard of their CSAs were friends/acquaintances and the Internet/CSA Web sites. Additionally, members cited supporting local farms, healthier eating, and knowing where your foods come from as major reasons for joining a CSA. CSAs provided 46% of a household's weekly produce, and the majority (75%) of produce obtained from CSAs was consumed, with only a small percentage discarded. CSA members consumed significantly more servings of fruits and vegetables and a greater variety of these foods than non-CSA controls.