Eroding the Community in Community Supported Agriculture ( CSA ): Competition's Effects in Alternative Food Networks in C alifornia

• Published in: Sociologia ruralis Vol. 56; no. 4; pp. 491 - 512
• Main Authors: Galt, Ryan E., Bradley, Katharine, Christensen, Libby, Van Soelen Kim, Julia, Lobo, Ramiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.09.2016
• ISSN: 0038-0199; 1467-9523
• DOI: 10.1111/soru.12102

Abstract The effects of competition within alternative food networks ( AFNs ) remain largely unexplored. Using a study of farms that operate C ommunity S upported A griculture ( CSA ) programmes in C alifornia, the state in the U SA with the most CSAs , we empirically examine the effects of competition within alternative food networks. We conducted a statewide survey of CSA farmers in C alifornia, which collected data from 111 CSAs . For this analysis we construct a perceived competition index composed of variables that measure farmers' perceptions of competition with numerous market outlets and their being constrained in raising their prices due to competitive pressures. Our analysis shows that perceived competition is negatively correlated with CSA farms' profitability, farmers' satisfaction on a number of fronts, various indicators of the social embeddedness of CSA , and two community food security strategies. We conclude that competition is a real, although differential, phenomenon experienced by many CSA farmers in C alifornia, and that this competition impacts CSA in ways that undermine some of its commonly held values, especially fair farmer compensation and strong member‐farmer relationships.