scholarly journals Farm Fresh Foods for Healthy Kids (F3HK): An innovative community supported agriculture intervention to prevent childhood obesity in low-income families and strengthen local agricultural economies

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca A. Seguin ◽  
Emily H. Morgan ◽  
Karla L. Hanson ◽  
Alice S. Ammerman ◽  
Stephanie B. Jilcott Pitts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Community Supported Agriculture ◽  
Low Income Families ◽  
Fresh Foods ◽  
Agricultural Economies

scholarly journals Making community-supported agriculture accessible to low-income families: findings from the Farm Fresh Foods for Healthy Kids process evaluation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A Garner ◽  
Stephanie B Jilcott Pitts ◽  
Karla L Hanson ◽  
Alice S Ammerman ◽  
Jane Kolodinsky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Community Supported Agriculture ◽  
Geographically Dispersed ◽  
Cost Offset ◽  
Low Income Families ◽  
Fresh Foods

Abstract A randomized trial of Farm Fresh Foods for Healthy Kids (F3HK) was initiated across 4 states and 12 farms to test whether cost-offset community-supported agriculture (CO-CSA) could improve diet quality among children in low-income families. Intervention households purchased a 50% subsidized share of local produce and were invited to nine complimentary nutrition classes. The purpose of this study was to assess F3HK reach, dose, and fidelity via a mixed methods process evaluation. Screening and enrollment records indicated reach; study records and postlesson educator surveys tracked dose delivered; CSA pickup logs, lesson sign-in sheets, postseason participant surveys, and postlesson caregiver surveys assessed dose received; and coordinator audits and educator surveys tracked fidelity. Educator interviews contextualized findings. The results of this study were as follows. Reach: enrolled caregivers (n = 305) were older (p = .005) than eligible nonenrollees (n = 243) and more likely to be female (p < .001). Dose: mean CSA season was 21 weeks (interquartile range [IQR]: 19–23). Median CSA pickup was 88% of the weeks (IQR: 40–100). All sites offered each class at least once. Most adults (77%) and children (54%) attended at least one class; few attended all. Eighty-two percent of caregivers indicated that their household consumed most or all produce. Median lesson activity ratings were 5/5 (“very useful”). Fidelity: CSA locations functioned with integrity to project standards. Educators taught 92% of activities but frequently modified lesson order. This study demonstrates the feasibility of pairing a CO-CSA intervention with nutrition education across geographically dispersed sites. Greater integration of intervention elements and clearer allowance for site-level modifications, particularly for educational elements, may improve intervention dose and, ultimately, impact.

scholarly journals Offsetting the cost of community-supported agriculture (CSA) for low-income families: perceptions and experiences of CSA farmers and members

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Stephanie B. Jilcott Pitts ◽  
Leah Connor Volpe ◽  
Marilyn Sitaker ◽  
Emily H. Belarmino ◽  
Amari Sealey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Community Supported Agriculture ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Major Theme ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Cost Offset ◽  
Low Income Families ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Improve Access

Abstract Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is an alternative food marketing model in which community members subscribe to receive regular shares of a farm's harvest. Although CSA has the potential to improve access to fresh produce, certain features of CSA membership may prohibit low-income families from participating. A ‘cost-offset’ CSA (CO-CSA) model provides low-income families with purchasing support with the goal of making CSA more affordable. As a first step toward understanding the potential of CO-CSA to improve access to healthy foods among low-income households, we interviewed 24 CSA farmers and 20 full-pay CSA members about their experiences and perceptions of the cost-offset model and specific mechanisms for offsetting the cost of CSA. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and coded using a thematic approach. Ensuring that healthy food was accessible to everyone, regardless of income level, was a major theme expressed by both farmers and members. In general, CSA farmers and CSA members favored member donations over other mechanisms for funding the CO-CSA. The potential time burden that could affect CSA farmers when administering a cost-offset was a commonly-mentioned barrier. Future research should investigate various CO-CSA operational models in order to determine which models are most economically viable and sustainable.

scholarly journals Spatial Considerations for Implementing Two Direct-to-Consumer Food Models in Two States

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 2081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilyn Sitaker ◽  
Jared McGuirt ◽  
Weiwei Wang ◽  
Jane Kolodinsky ◽  
Rebecca Seguin
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Public Transportation ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Community Supported Agriculture ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Customer Base ◽  
Direct To Consumer ◽  
Cost Offset ◽  
Block Level ◽  
Low Income Families

To open new markets, some farmers have adapted direct-to-consumer (DTC) models, such as Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), to reach new settings or audiences. We compared sociodemographic and geospatial contexts to farmers’ experience with one of two DTC innovations: a cost-offset CSA for low-income families and food boxes distributed through rural convenience stores. We geocoded addresses of thirteen farms and DTC pickup sites in two U.S. states (Vermont and Washington) and calculated road network distances from pickup to supermarket, farmers’ market, and farm. We compiled Census block-level demographic and transportation data, and compared it to postseason interviews to explore the effect of suitability of the pickup location; proximity to food retail; and potential farmer burden. Most pickup areas were heavily car-dependent, with low walkability and few public transportation options. Conventional sources of fresh produce were within six miles of most pickups, but farmers markets were further away. Despite modest profitability, both models were deemed worth pursuing, as they expanded farmers’ customer base. Farmers implementing the store-distributed food box were sensitive to market trends and customer needs in choosing pickup location. Farmers seemed more concerned with marketing in convenience store settings, and finding efficient ways to conduct recordkeeping than with delivery distances.

scholarly journals Perceptions of nutrition education classes offered in conjunction with a community-supported agriculture intervention among low-income families

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Isabel Lu ◽  
Karla L Hanson ◽  
Stephanie B Jilcott Pitts ◽  
Jane Kolodinsky ◽  
Alice S Ammerman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Nutrition Knowledge ◽  
Food Preservation ◽  
Community Supported Agriculture ◽  
Cost Offset ◽  
Low Income Families

Abstract Objective: To examine participants’ experiences with nutrition education classes that were implemented with and designed to complement a cost-offset community-supported agriculture (CSA) programme. Design: Qualitative analysis of data from twenty-eight focus groups with ninety-six participants enrolled in Farm Fresh Foods for Healthy Kids (F3HK). Transcribed data were coded and analysed by a priori and emergent themes. Setting: Rural and micropolitan communities in New York, North Carolina, Vermont and Washington (USA). Participants: Ninety-six F3HK participants. Results: Participants found recipes and class activities helpful and reported improvements in nutrition knowledge, food preservation skills and home cooking behaviours for themselves and their children; they also reported that classes promoted a sense of community. Some educators better incorporated CSA produce into lessons, which participants reported as beneficial. Other obligations and class logistics were barriers to attendance; participants recommended that lessons be offered multiple times weekly at different times of day. Other suggestions included lengthening class duration to encourage social engagement; emphasising recipes to incorporate that week’s CSA produce and pantry staples and offering additional strategies to incorporate children in classes. Conclusion: Complementing a cost-offset CSA with nutrition education may enhance programme benefits to low-income families by improving nutrition knowledge and cooking behaviours. However, future interventions will benefit from ongoing coordination between educators and local growing trajectories to maximise timely coverage of unfamiliar produce in lessons; synchronous scheduling of CSA pick-up and classes for participant convenience and creative strategies to engage children and/or provide childcare.

scholarly journals Medical Students and Childhood Obesity: Health Disparity and Implication for Education

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (14) ◽  
pp. 2578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinduk Lee ◽  
Matthew Lee Smith ◽  
Laura Kromann ◽  
Marcia G. Ory
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Health Disparity ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
School Based ◽  
Child Patients ◽  
Perceived Importance ◽  
Low Income Families

This study aimed at examining the relationship between medical students’ perceptions about health disparity and childhood obesity care. A cross-sectional survey (n = 163) was used to examine medical students’ characteristics and perceptions related to health disparity and childhood obesity. Multiple mixed effects regression models with Tukey’s tests were used to examine participants’ perceived importance of different roles (e.g., parents) and topics to discuss with child patients and their parents. Separate models were used to examine whether health disparity perception was associated with participants’ perceived importance of different roles and topics to discuss with child patients and their parents. Despite acknowledging that low-income families might lack resources to change health behaviors, many medical students still reported patients and parents being primarily responsible for childhood obesity condition. Participants perceived that the most important topic to discuss was patient’s behaviors, followed by access to safe environments and school-based interventions. Participants’ perception about health disparity was significantly associated with their perceived importance of different roles and topics to discuss with parents. The current study implies disconnection in linking health disparity with childhood obesity among medical students and confirms the importance of sensitizing medical students about the socio-environmental determinants of childhood obesity.

Health Care Providers’ Perspectives on Family Compliance and Behavior Change in a Childhood Obesity Program

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 582-591
Author(s):  
Michelle Pannor Silver ◽  
Shawna M. Cronin
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Behavior Modification ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Low Income Families ◽  
Family Based ◽  
And Behavior

Background. Evidence suggests that children and adolescents growing up in low-income families and those with underrepresented ethnocultural backgrounds tend to have high prevalence rates of obesity and more difficulty adhering to childhood obesity interventions. However, less is known about how intergenerational, family-based approaches to lifestyle interventions for childhood obesity support sustained behavior change. Aims. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of health care providers regarding family adherence and behavior change in a childhood obesity program that served ethnoculturally diverse and low-income families. Method. Semistructured in-person interviews were conducted with 18 providers at one of three hospitals participating in a Canadian family-based childhood obesity program. Data were thematically analyzed using a constant comparative approach. Results. The following key themes emerged as challenges from the provider’s perspective for family adherence and behavior modification in the childhood obesity program: divergent views about obesity, complicated lives and logistical priorities, parental role modeling, and intergenerational tensions. Discussion and Conclusion. This examination of providers’ perspectives on family adherence and behavior modification relevant to the management of childhood obesity highlight the importance of tailoring childhood obesity programs to the complex and diverse needs of families from diverse backgrounds. Recommendations include methods of service delivery that address logistical challenges and are better suited to extended families, particularly grandparents.

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