Abstract

This paper investigates the participation of members of the low-income community in community-building on Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms in Vermont. It asks the question, “How Can CSA Farmers in Vermont Effectively Incorporate Members of the Low-Income Community?” This research seeks to answer this question through phenomenological inquiry of 10 Vermont CSA farmers using an interview questionnaire. In addition, data was collected by observation of sessions involving the collaboration of farmer, community-based organizations, and members of the low-income population to incorporate these members into Vermont CSA farms. This research revealed that in order to effectively incorporate members of the low-income community, Vermont CSA farmers need to collaborate with community-based and other non-profit organizations, view the low-income community as a resource, and enlist the support of the entire community at large and become a part of a “food justice” movement.

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