BUFFALO, N.Y. — Using a novel approach, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County and Harvest New York, in partnership with Field & Fork Network, are launching a new project targeted at expanding access to community supported agriculture (CSA) shares to low-income consumers in Buffalo. This innovative program is cutting edge in Buffalo, and if successful, will be a model for communities across the country that are interested in community food system development that does not require revenue generation.
Funded by the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, and the General Mills Foundation, the project team’s primary goal is to develop an interdependent relationship between three key groups: (1) low-income consumers in Buffalo, (2) local CSA farmers, and (3) cost-offset providers, which could be health insurance companies, employers, and/or Medicaid providers. The concept of a cost-offset in this case can be likened to the type of wellness perk often offered by insurance companies, for example a discount on the cost of a fitness membership. What this project is proposing to do is offset the cost of healthy, whole food from Western NY farmers. If successful in garnering participation from the three key groups, the project can offer the following impacts:
1) Increasing healthy food access and consumption for low-income residents in Buffalo.
2) Supporting local farmers by increasing CSA shares sold and/or providing them with new customers, which can contribute to a stronger local economy.
Cheryl Thayer of Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest New York, said “We’re so thrilled to be spearheading this project in Buffalo. The CSA model has much to offer, from a bounty of delicious and diverse food items, to directly supporting our neighboring farms who are committed to environmentally-friendly farming practices. We know that the price of a CSA can serve as a real barrier to entry for consumers. What’s special about this project is that it connects the dots between wellness, food, and farming, in a way that benefits all parties involved.”
Diane Held, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County said, “We are grateful to the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, and the General Mills Foundation for funding this project to connect local food and farms with healthy living, core areas of our work to help Erie County residents and communities solve real life problems with research based solutions.”
It is important to clarify that the grant funds are not going towards the CSA cost-offset itself, but will support developing the relationship between consumers, farmers and cost-offset providers, as well as supporting nutrition education and budget-friendly menu planning to ensure consumers are comfortable and able to use the diversity of crops provided in a typical CSA box.
Existing research from Kentucky University supports that participation in a CSA leads to improved health, particularly for consumers with poor health prior to CSA participation. Improved health outcomes include: reduced consumption of processed snack foods and meals, increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, more attention to health and nutrition, less need for medical care, and improved beneficial lifestyle changes, such as cooking at home. Likewise, in a program offered in Madison, Wisconsin, one partner health insurance company noted that participating in a similar program resulted in high member satisfaction and recognition as being an innovative leader in the field. And, participating farmers indicated that the program increased awareness of CSAs and created business and visibility for their farms.
“We are pleased to be a partner on this important project that could significantly change the food access landscape in Buffalo. As someone who has seen how impactful nutrition incentives can be, particularly with our Double Up Food Bucks program, we know expanding this concept to providing subsidized CSA shares will be of great benefit to consumers and farmers alike across the Western NY community,” states Lisa French, Co-founder & Executive Director of Field & Fork Network.
In the coming months, the project partners will be engaging consumers, farmers, and potential cost-offset providers in targeted discussions and focus groups to encourage project participation and to determine the potential barriers to participation, with the hope of launching a pilot of the project in 2019.
About Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County puts knowledge to work to build stronger communities. CCE Erie provides educational programs in Agriculture, 4-H Youth Development, Nutrition, and Consumer Horticulture.
About Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest New York
Harvest New York is a regional Cornell Cooperative Extension team whose goal is to spur agricultural economic development in New York State. Six project areas are covered by Harvest New York Specialists: Dairy Food Processing and Marketing, Local Food Distribution and Marketing, Urban Agriculture, Farm-Based Beverages, Livestock Processing and Marketing, and Farm Strategic Planning. For more information about Harvest New York, visit https://harvestny.cce.cornell.edu/.
About Field & Fork Network
Field & Fork Network is a food and farming organization dedicated to building a thriving regional food system in New York by creating more economic opportunities for local agriculture and providing greater access to fresh local foods. For more information about Field & Fork Network, visit www.fieldandforknetwork.com.
–Cornell Cooperative Extension