Journal Article

The Impacts of Local Markets: A Review of Research on Farmers Markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

Brown, Cheryl, Miller, Stacy

2008

Overview

Farmers markets could be considered the historical flagship of local food systems, and their numbers in the US have grown significantly over the last decade, a 150% increase from 1994 through 2006 (AMS 2007). Total nationwide sales for the 2005 season were estimated at $1 billion, reflecting 13% sales growth since 2000 (USDA 2006). Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a marketing strategy where consumers buy \"shares\" in the farm before planting begins and receive a portion of whatever is available each week of the growing season. These shares generally cost several hundred dollars and provide enough fresh produce for a family; some shares include other products, such as eggs, honey, flowers, and/or meat. This review of literature focuses on research that examines the impacts that CSA and farmers markets have on farmers, consumers, and communities, following up on Brown's (2002) findings by reviewing research conducted on farmers markets since 2000.

• Publisher: Oxford University Press,Wiley Subscription Services, Inc,Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subject: Agricultural economics / Agriculture / Agroecology / Alternative agriculture / Community / Community supported agriculture / Consumer behaviour / Consumers / D120 / Eggs / Farm economics / Farmers / Farmers markets / Food / Food crops / Growing season / Growing the Local Food Market / Impact analysis / Integrated agricultural systems / Literature reviews / Local food systems / Market / Marketing / Markets / Meat / Meta-analysis / Organic farming / Q120 / Q130 / Q180 / Rural communities / Sales / Sustainable agriculture / U.S.A / Vendors