Understanding Consumer Dynamics in Community-Supported Agriculture

Conventional food production and distribution systems degrade the environment due to several aspects, like overuse of fertilizers and high greenhouse gas emissions. This necessitates a shift toward low environmental impact, sustainable food systems like community-supported agriculture (CSA). In CSA, consumers pay producers in advance for their harvest. In this way, farmers get financial stability, and consumers get a chance to engage in farming activities, which ultimately strengthens local food systems.

Despite its benefits, there are few studies on what makes consumers participate in CSA, particularly outside Western countries. Specifically, in Japan, where CSA is not widely practiced, there is a limited understanding of how cultural differences influence consumer participation behaviors.

To gain more insights, a research team led by Sota Takagi, a graduate student from the Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo), Japan, profiled potential consumers of CSA in Japan and analyzed the factors influencing their intentions to participate in CSA by using the CSA participation model. The team included Professor Miki Saijo from Science Tokyo and Associate Professor Takumi Ohashi from Science Tokyo and Chulalongkorn University.

Their study was published in the International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science.

Takagi explains, "Only a few studies have quantified how sociocultural and psychological factors impact participation intentions, particularly in Japan. Moreover, research on consumer heterogeneity in CSA adoption remains underexplored. This hinders the development of effective engagement strategies."

To this end, researchers conducted an online survey with 2,484 Japanese consumers. The survey included a choice experiment that assessed consumers' preferences for locally grown vegetables based on attributes like organic certification, basket purchase, and willingness to pay for them. The survey also included questions related to the CSA participation model, awareness, and participation intention.

According to the CSA participation model, consumers assess the gains and losses associated with CSA and then decide to participate. This decision-making process is also influenced by their sociocultural environment.

Researchers performed statistical analysis on the choice experiment datasets and identified five consumer segments, namely: "Conventional Shoppers," "Organic Enthusiasts," "Farmers' Market Advocates," "Home Delivery Preferers," and "Sustainable Food Seekers." Among them, "Sustainable Food Seekers," who accounted for 26.4% of the respondents, showed the highest interest in CSA. They also preferred farmers' markets, negatively perceived organic labels, and were less price sensitive.

Furthermore, researchers used partial least squares structural equation modeling to test the CSA participation model. They found that among the gains from CSA (as specified in the model), "Food Education and Learning Opportunities" and "Contribution to Environmental and Social Issues" significantly influenced CSA participation intentions.

The latter was a key driver for "Sustainable Food Seekers." These findings could be attributed to Japan's unique national law on food education, which promotes food for mental and physical health, traditional food culture, and the balance between food, environment, and society.