An Outcome Evaluation of a Subsidized Community-Supported Agriculture Program at an Urban Food Pantry: A Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study

IF 2.3 3区医学 Q2 EDUCATION, SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINES

Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior Pub Date : 2025-08-01 DOI:10.1016/j.jneb.2025.05.097

Ruyu Liu MS, RD, Roger Figueroa PhD, MPH, MSc, Daniel Harwood BA, Ora Kemp MPH, Alyson Rosenthal MS, RD

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Abstract

Background

Participation in subsidized community-supported agriculture (CSA) is associated with increased food security, fruit and vegetable (FV) intake, and skin carotenoids among individuals with low income. However, its impact in the food pantry setting remains understudied.

Objective

To examine the preliminary effectiveness of “Farm Share” participation on food security and dietary behaviors.

Study Design, Settings, Participants

This pilot study used a quasi-experimental, 3-month pre-post design to evaluate the “Farm Share” program, a subsidized CSA program led by a food pantry in New York, NY. The program provided biweekly distributions of approximately 25 pounds of fresh produce for $5 per bag, with educational flyers and workshops available. Adult participants fluent in English or Spanish were recruited from the Farm Share program and a control group from another similar-sized food pantry without a CSA.

Measurable Outcome/Analysis

The outcome variables included food security, FV intake, diet quality, and skin carotenoids (a proxy for FV intake). The changes in outcome variables between groups were examined using generalized estimating equations and mixed-effect regression models.

Results

A total of 123 participants were enrolled at baseline (Farm Share n = 54, control n = 69). The sample predominantly consisted of individuals who identified as Hispanic/Latino, Black or African American, foreign-born, single, middle-aged (ranging 18 – 86 years), female, and had a high school education or lower. Retention rate was 65.0% at follow-up (Farm Share n = 33, control n = 47). Compared to the control group, the skin carotenoids significantly increased in the Farm Share group (p = 0.002), even after adjusting for smoking status, age, sex, and birthplace (p = 0.005). Improvements in food security (p = 0.187) and FV intake (p = 0.184) were observed but were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Findings demonstrated the preliminary effectiveness of the Farm Share program on improving skin carotenoids. Future studies should continue examining the effectiveness of subsidized CSA in food pantries, with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up.

Funding

Cornell University

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城市食品储藏室资助的社区支持农业项目的结果评估：一项准实验性试点研究

参与补贴的社区支持农业（CSA）与低收入个体的粮食安全、水果和蔬菜（FV）摄入量和皮肤类胡萝卜素的增加有关。然而，它对食品储藏室的影响仍未得到充分研究。目的探讨“农场共享”参与对粮食安全和饮食行为的初步影响。研究设计，设置，参与者本试点研究采用准实验，为期3个月的前后设计来评估“农场分享”计划，这是纽约州纽约一家食品储藏室领导的一项补贴CSA计划。该计划每两周分发约25磅新鲜农产品，每袋5美元，并提供教育传单和讲习班。英语或西班牙语流利的成年参与者是从“农场分享”项目中招募的，对照组来自另一个类似规模的没有CSA的食品储藏室。可测量的结果/分析结果变量包括食品安全、FV摄入量、饮食质量和皮肤类胡萝卜素（FV摄入量的替代指标）。使用广义估计方程和混合效应回归模型检验各组间结果变量的变化。结果基线时共纳入123名受试者（Farm Share n = 54,control n = 69）。样本主要包括西班牙裔/拉丁裔，黑人或非裔美国人，外国出生，单身，中年（18 - 86岁），女性，高中及以下学历的个人。随访时保留率为65.0% （Farm Share n = 33,control n = 47）。与对照组相比，Farm Share组的皮肤类胡萝卜素显著增加（p = 0.002），即使在调整了吸烟状况、年龄、性别和出生地（p = 0.005）之后也是如此。在食品安全（p = 0.187）和FV摄入量（p = 0.184）方面均有改善，但无统计学意义。结论：研究结果显示了Farm Share计划在改善皮肤类胡萝卜素方面的初步有效性。未来的研究应继续检查补贴的CSA在食品储藏室的有效性，样本量更大，随访时间更长。FundingCornell大学

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来源期刊

Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior 医学-学科教育

CiteScore

4.20

自引率

11.50%

发文量

379

审稿时长

44 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (JNEB), the official journal of the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, is a refereed, scientific periodical that serves as a global resource for all professionals with an interest in nutrition education; nutrition and physical activity behavior theories and intervention outcomes; complementary and alternative medicine related to nutrition behaviors; food environment; food, nutrition, and physical activity communication strategies including technology; nutrition-related economics; food safety education; and scholarship of learning related to these areas. The purpose of JNEB is to document and disseminate original research and emerging issues and practices relevant to these areas worldwide. The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior welcomes evidence-based manuscripts that provide new insights and useful findings related to nutrition education research, practice and policy. The content areas of JNEB reflect the diverse interests in nutrition and physical activity related to public health, nutritional sciences, education, behavioral economics, family and consumer sciences, and eHealth, including the interests of community-based nutrition-practitioners. As the Society''s official journal, JNEB also includes policy statements, issue perspectives, position papers, and member communications.