Low-income adults' perceptions of farmers' markets and community-supported agriculture programmes

To better understand low-income adults' attitudes towards participating in farmers' markets, community-supported agriculture (CSA) and nutrition education programming.

Focus groups were held with a diverse sample of adults. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.

Three affordable housing communities in Washington, DC, USA.

Participants included twenty-eight residents of the three affordable housing communities.

Four major themes emerged across groups, along with several sub-themes within each theme. These included: (i) perceptions of farmers' markets (benefits, barriers, current participation and knowledge); (ii) perceptions of CSA (benefits, barriers and questions/concerns); (iii) need/interest in additional programming (nutrition education, non-nutrition education, qualities of programming and perceived barriers); and (iv) current health knowledge and behaviours (dietary behaviours, health recommendations and health concerns).

Adults living in urban, affordable housing communities desire access to healthy foods, but are limited by cost. Programmes could have a higher likelihood of success if they accept benefits like SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), are heavily marketed and incorporate culturally relevant nutrition education components.