University engagement through local food enterprise: community-supported agriculture on campus

Abstract

Community-supported agriculture programs (CSAs) are growing in number and variety across the country. Though CSAs can be found in a variety of settings, a less common but potentially successful venue in which to run a CSA is the university campus. Although universities present certain challenges for operating a CSA, they offer a number of unique advantages that can aid in the growth and success of the campus CSA. As such, university-based food and nutrition professionals may find that CSA development is a viable avenue through which to accomplish nutrition goals, such as increasing consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. In this article, the authors review both the benefits and detriments of operating a CSA on a university campus and present 2 different but successful university CSA models.