Transformations in the Food System, Nutritional and Economic Impacts
Carola Grebitus, Jane Kolodinsky, and Dawn Thilmany McFadden
This theme highlights opportunities and challenges of contemporary food systems, specifically focusing on urban farming and marketing systems. The nutritional and economic impacts of farm-to-school, school garden, and CSA cost-offset programs are discussed, as well as consumer preferences for and acceptance of novel urban food production methods.
Erin Roche, Jane M. Kolodinsky, Rachel K. Johnson, Meagan Pharis, and Jenna Banning
School-based gardening programs may help combat childhood obesity, especially among inner-city and low income students. Self-efficacy, social norms, and garden knowledge contribute to students’ nutrition knowledge and intention to eat vegetables. Students intention to eat vegetables was three times higher for students participating in a school-based gardening program than that of non-participating students.
Florence Becot, Jane M. Kolodinsky, Erin Roche, Alexandra E. Zipparo, Linda Berlin, Erin Buckwalter, and Janet McLaughlin
Interest in the economic impact of farm-to-school (FTS) programs has grown in recent years. Most studies have focused on the impact of local food procurement at the community level. Little is known of the impact on farm operations and long-term nutritional and educational outcomes.
Jane M. Kolodinsky, Marilyn Sitaker, Emily H. Morgan, Leah M. Connor, Karla L. Hanson, Florence Becot, Stephanie B. Jilcott Pitts, Alice S. Ammerman, and Rebecca A. Seguin
This article discusses formative research examining subsidized or “cost-offset†participation in community supported agriculture (CSA) programs as a strategy to improve dietary quality among low-income families, help at-risk children achieve and maintain healthy body weights, and support vibrant agricultural economies.
Bradford D. Coyle and Brenna Ellison
Vertical farming could revolutionize the produce industry, but will consumers accept this new technology? We find that consumers perceive vertical farming as comparable to other production systems in terms of safety and quality, but view the process as less natural and are less likely to purchase fresh produce grown under this system.
Iryna Printezis, Carola Grebitus, and Antonios Printezis
In order for urban farms to be successful, consumer preferences for foods produced and sold at such venues have to be taken into account. Given that consumers prefer food that was produced naturally, we test for the impact of perceived “naturalness†on consumer preferences for tomatoes sold at urban farms.
