Community Supported Agriculture: Whats in My Produce Box and How Do I Use it?

A partnership with Zenger Farm

M. Beck, D. Hardwick, N. Harrah, C. Nichols, K. Schlag, M. Whitaker, Graduate Programs in Human Nutrition, OHSU
Project Mentor: Bryan Allan, B.A., J.D., Assistant Farm Manager
Partnership: Zenger Farm: CSA Partnerships for Health

Implementation Details

Project Significance

Skill Sheets:

There are well-documented socioeconomic disparities in the consumption of

fruit and vegetables in the US. While Community Supported Agriculture
(CSA) programs can provide lower SES populations with access to fruits and
vegetables, adding a nutrition and cooking education component to a CSA
program may further increase fruit and vegetable consumption among
underserved populations.

Designed three skill sheets based on the results of focus group:

1) Basic Knife Skills
2) How to Dress a Salad
3) Guide to Eating Locally
Prior to completion, skill sheets were reviewed by community
stakeholders including a chef, health worker, and farmer.
Each CSA members weekly food box will include 1 skill sheet

Project Goal
To maximize the benefits and use of CSA food boxes for participants through
the provision of evidence-based, client-centered nutrition education and food
preparation materials in order to promote self-efficacy of healthy food
preparation and increase overall nutrition knowledge and fruit and vegetable
consumption among CSA participants.

Vegetable Profiles:

Objectives

About Zenger Farm

By November 2015, OHSU students will evaluate the effectiveness of

existing CSA nutrition education materials and investigate any gaps in
the target population's nutrition knowledge
Activity: Conduct a focus group with CSA
participants
By January 2016, based on focus group findings, OHSU students will
develop the following CSA nutrition education materials:
CSA skill sheets
Vegetable profiles for weekly newsletters
By March 2016, create a 5-question validated survey that will be
distributed to Zenger Farm to evaluate the effectiveness of the
education materials

Evaluation
Evaluation tools will be provided to Zenger Farm so they can measure
the effectiveness of each education material.
These tools include:
Suitability of Materials (SAM) developed by Pritchett and Hull
Developing and Assessing Nutrition Education Handouts
(DANEH) developed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
5 question survey adapted from the Marin County of Education

Zenger Farm is an urban farm located in Southeast Portland, Oregon. Zenger Farm
promotes and teaches about sustainable food systems, environmental stewardship,
community development and access to good food for everyone.
GUIDE TO EATING LOCALLY
ating seasonally is
eating locally: Come visit
your local farm and taste the
freshness of seasonal fruits
and vegetables while
enjoying the outdoor
marketplace.

VEGETABLES

Local produce is rich in

nutrients: Produce
harvested at peak ripeness is
generally higher in nutrients
compared to unripe
produce that is shipped long
distances.

SPRING
Mar

Apr

May

SUMMER
Jun

Jul

Aug

ating locally supports

your local economy:
You can support your local
farmers and promote
sustainable farming
practices that are better for
the environment.

FALL
Sep

Oct

WINTER
Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

VEGETABLES &
FRUITS

SPRING
Mar

Parsnips

Peas

Apr

May

SUMMER
Jun

Jul

Aug

FALL
Sep

Oct

WINTER
Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Developed vegetable profiles for 21 vegetables that are commonly

provided in CSA member food boxes
Profiles contain a description of the vegetable, picture, its flavor profile,
suggested ways to prepare it, and other information such as seasonal
availability and growth habits
Profiles will be featured in the weekly Zenger Farm Newsletter according
to the harvest season of each vegetable

Next Steps
Our project was part of a bigger initiative called CSA Partnerships for
Health. It is the first program of its kind in Oregon and serves as a pilot to
study the role organizations and business can play in increasing access to
healthy, fresh, seasonal produce. In 2015, 145 families joined participating
CSA farms to receive weekly fresh vegetable deliveries.

Peppers

Arugula

Potatoes

Artichokes
Asian Greens

Radishes

Asparagus
Fava Beans
Green Beans
Beets
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celeriac
Celery
Chard
Chicory
Collard Greens
Corn
Cucumber
Eggplant
Garlic Snapes
Garlic
Kale
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce
Onion

Salad Greens

Rutabaga
Shallots
Spinach
Summer Squash

Sweet Potatoes

The skill sheets and veggie profiles we created will be part of a larger
educational toolkit used in Oregon to help CSA participants make the most
out of their produce boxes. Ultimately, these skill sheets, veggie profiles and
other tools will be put together in a single book for better accessibility.

Tomatoes
Turnips
Winter Squash
Melon
Plums
HERBS
Basil
Cilantro
Fennel
Oregano
Parsley
Rosemary
Thyme
Sage
Winter Savory

Zenger Farm hopes to continue developing this project as well as its

partnership with OHSU. Ultimately, the aim is for insurance funding to
prescribe a course of CSAs to those who have been
diagnosed with diet-related chronic diseases.