EMBRACING THE SHARING ECONOMY AND PREPARING FOR RISK: THE CSA EXPERIENCE

摘要

As Community Supported Agricultural systems (CSAs) continue to capture an increased portion of the overall food budget and enjoy growing customerawareness and support, they prove to be an important alternative food system independent from intensive agribusiness. The underlying motivations of CSAs extend beyond a risk sharing economic exchange. These systems act as a strategy to fight a disconnect between farmer and consumer, rethinking the relationship among food, community economics, and ecologicalsustainability. Several challenges centered on legal and economic risks could restrict future expansion of CSAs. This Article will examine three unique CSA operations and a survey of CSA members to illustrate these complex challenges of combining farming with high levels of customer engagement. Additionally, this Article will identify strategies to better manage these risks and enhance the social and economic sustainability of this evolving form of community food production.