Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:Michigan Farm to Family: CSA, an initiative of Michigan Fitness Foundation, is designed to serve low-income families who use SNAP benefits to supplement their grocery budgets. This program opens access to an affordable, modified community supported agriculture (CSA) model, making it possible for households to buy more Michigan-grown fresh fruits and vegetables. It aims to positively impact purchasing habits, dietary choices, and food and nutrition security, while fostering participation in the local food system. The project also supports Michigan farmers by providing access to a new revenue stream and expanding their customer base to include households across diverse income levels, bridging socio-economic gaps. Farmers have the opportunity to increase food access for their communities, contributing to a robust and equitable local food system. ? Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Participating CSAs received a new partner guide outlining key information for participating in Michigan Farm to Family: CSA. A Zoom training accompanied the guide, covering roles and responsibilities, reporting and evaluation, promotional support, branding requirements, and nutrition education opportunities. Customized instructions for monthly firm-level reporting were provided to help them complete Nutrition Incentive Hub reports. Additionally, a sales log template was shared to standardize tracking and ensure accurate participant counts based on share purchases. The program manager responsible for coordinating day to day operations has engaged in various professional development opportunities including NTAE grant technical assistance webinars and Nutrition Incentive Hub resources such as Community of Practice sessions, reporting and evaluation webinars, and the New to GusNIP Mini-Convening in New York. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Michigan Fitness Foundation maintains the Michigan Farm to Family: CSA directory on the Michigan Fitness Foundation website and companion social media accounts to support CSAs and recruit people using SNAP to participate in the program. The directory includes information about each CSA including their location, sign-up information, pick-up hours, and links to their websites and social media accounts. The program is promoted through multiple social media channels and featured in several statewide publications to showcase the initiative, raise awareness, and as a recruitment tool. Michigan Fitness Foundation also provides Michigan Farm to Family: CSA partners with a suite of promotional supports to help reach potential CSA members in their communities. Each participating CSA may select from promotional tools including recruitment flyers, social media graphics, program overview videos, talking points, press release templates, sample social media content, and opt-in text reminders to support CSA pick-up and retention. Additionally, we cultivate partnerships with organizations across the state through participation in food systems collectives and collaborations to better engage a broader segment of the SNAP eligible population and CSA farmers. This improves our geographic reach and raises awareness of how CSAs can positively impact local food systems. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Programming has been largely successful and will continue as planned. To improve accessibility and increase participation in the delivery option offered through GusCRR funding, a technical assistance plan will be implemented to help CSAs engage with Online SNAP. This will facilitate farmers' advancing through the steps of the Food and Nutrition Service's application process to become authorized Online SNAP retailers, assist with integrating Online SNAP into virtual storefronts and operations, and support the promotion of this payment option to SNAP shoppers. With more farmers able to accept Online SNAP, SNAP shoppers will have easier access to local CSAs by placing orders online, reducing the need for in-person payment at pick-up. This streamlining of transactions benefits both the CSA and the shopper by making the process more convenient. It also paves the way for new possibilities, such as unstaffed pick-up sites and expanded delivery options, treating SNAP participants more like other customers and enhancing their overall experience. While we have exceeded our CSA member-related objectives, we will continue to recruit CSAs to reach our goal of engaging 25 CSAs and expanding our geographic reach (to date, 16 CSAs have been onboarded through GusNIP and 11 through GusCRR for a total of 25). Our recruitment efforts will prioritize equity, focusing on CSAs in underserved geographic areas such as Northeast Michigan and increasing participation among BIPOC farmers and SNAP shoppers. Additionally, we will explore options for expanding aggregator models to include organizations that serve priority populations such as older adults, veterans, rural households, LGBTQ+ households, and those with limited English proficiency. ?
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Michigan Farm to Family: CSA is currently supported by two funding streams: GusNIP and GusCRR. This report highlights progress specific to GusNIP funding, referring to the program as GusNIP Michigan Farm to Family: CSA throughout, and excludes those covered by GusCRR. As such, it does not fully capture the overall program's achievements, though many key activities - such as training, professional development, result dissemination, and planning for the upcoming program year - are shared between the two funding streams. CSA members will engage in program planning, implementation, and evaluation activities. Discussions were held with CSAs prior to the start of the CSA season to discuss prior year experiences, address barriers that occurred during the previous season (2022 - 2023), and develop strategies together to move forward successfully. Information gathered from CSA members from the previous season was also reviewed to look for needed program adjustments. CSA members also participated in start of season and end of season evaluation activities to demonstrate the impact of GusNIP Michigan Farm to Family: CSA over time. Local partners will offer at least 25 20-week CSAs to SNAP-recipients with a 75% incentive on share price. Between the reporting period of September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024, 13 CSAs incentivized shares to SNAP shoppers through GusNIP Michigan Farm to Family: CSA. SNAP shoppers use their EBT cards to pay 25% of a weekly CSA box, and the program covers the remaining 75%. Seasonal CSAs ranged from operating between 14 to 36 weeks, and three firms offered year-round CSAs. Ten of the firms operate as farm direct CSAs for which farmers have taken on the role of program operators. GusNIP Michigan Farm to Family: CSA has also worked with three local organizations that manage multi-farm CSAs. These organizations act as aggregators for regional, small-scale farmers, handling logistics, recruiting CSA members (including those using SNAP benefits), maintaining communication with farmers, and serving as distribution sites for pick-up. SNAP-Ed will be offered to CSA members to support member retention, promote fresh fruit and vegetable consumption, and minimize food waste. Nutrition education and incentives are integrated to enhance the impact of each program and improve participant outcomes. Collaboration between SNAP-Ed at Michigan Fitness Foundation (SNAP-Ed at MFF) and Michigan Farm to Family: CSA brings these efforts together. Nutrition incentives provide nutrition education participants with the funds to purchase the local produce highlighted in nutrition education activities, reducing the risk associated with trying unfamiliar foods and making participating in a CSA more feasible and accessible. Six SNAP-Ed at MFF statewide grantees and service providers worked with five GusNIP-funded CSAs to offer the Michigan Farm to Family: CSA Food Navigator Program, which delivers customized, experiential nutrition education to CSA participants. Food Navigators equip members with the knowledge and skills to cook, prepare, and store the fresh fruits and vegetables they receive in their weekly farm boxes, through activities like recipes, tastings, food demonstrations, and nutrition education materials. They also raise community awareness about the CSA, leveraging their trusted relationships at pick-up sites to help participants feel more comfortable with ongoing involvement. Farm to Family will expand from four communities in Year 1 to eight communities in Year 4. GusNIP Michigan Farm to Family: CSA was offered in 13 distinct communities to reach broadly across most regions of Michigan including Metro Detroit; East Central, Southeast, Southwest, West Central, and Northwest Lower Peninsula; and Central and Western Upper Peninsula. At least 750 SNAP-recipient households will purchase an incentivized CSA share. To date, 1,347 unique customers have purchased an incentivized CSA share through GusNIP Michigan Farm to Family: CSA. At least 125 of the SNAP households who purchased a CSA share in the first three years of the program will purchase at least one additional CSA share in a subsequent year. Of the SNAP shoppers who purchased a share during the first three years of the program, 399 have returned to purchase at least one additional CSA share in subsequent years, demonstrating customer retention and satisfaction. Repeat participation reflects the program's success in making local, fresh food more accessible and building long-term relationships between farmers and consumers. It also underscores the role of the program in fostering ongoing community commitment to healthy eating habits and local agriculture. New and returning customers have purchased a total of over 17,500 CSA shares with 5,105 having been purchased from September 1, 2023 - August 31, 2024. Based on learnings and evaluation, a Playbook will be developed to support communities (current and future) in implementing Farm to Family. The Playbook will include structure related to essential tasks and components for program success as well as flexibility and options for adaptation to local needs. Work continues on developing a Playbook based on insights and evaluation findings. It will document processes and procedures that have proven successful and will be structured according to program operations such as administrative tasks, evaluation, promotional supports, and promising practices. It is on track to be completed by the project's extended end date of August 31, 2025. At least 25% of CSA members surveyed will self-report an increase in consumption frequency of fruits and vegetables. An analysis of start of season and end of season survey data from GusNIP Michigan Farm to Family: CSA revealed that 26% of SNAP shoppers who purchased incentivized shares reported an increase in fruit consumption while 41% reported an increase in vegetable consumption. While these results demonstrate that the objective has been met, there is an opportunity to further explore why some participants report a decrease in fruit and vegetable consumption to improve the implementation strategies of the GusNIP Michigan Farm to Family: CSA. Through multi-sector food systems coalition efforts, MFF will convene organizations to sustain and scale Farm to Family. Achieving these objectives will forge new or deepen connections among CSA farmers, local operators like pantries, and low-income consumers; these stronger linkages among distinct parts of the food system is a systems change that will increase access to local food for those most food insecure. MFF plays a key role in food system efforts across local, regional, and state levels. By connecting with initiatives such as the Michigan Good Food Charter; the Michigan Local Food Council Network; Michigan Farmers Market Assocation; Michigan Alliance to Stop Hunger; Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan; and local food access and nutrition security programs, MFF strategically aligns its goals and approaches with broader, collective efforts. These partnerships have enabled MFF to build and maintain trusted relationships with key allies, which has been essential for recruiting new CSAs and local operators, as well as promoting the Farm to Family: CSA program to SNAP shoppers. This collaboration has strengthened the linkages between CSA farmers, local food operators (like pantries), and low-income consumers, fostering deeper connections within Michigan's food system. Notably, the Michigan Good Food Charter serves as a powerful vehicle for collective action, driving systemic changes that aim to enhance food access and improve health outcomes for food-insecure populations. Through these partnerships, MFF is helping to sustain and scale the Farm to Family: CSA program, ensuring greater access to local food for those most in need.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:CSA Farmers and SNAP recipients in thirteen (13) Michigan communities in Year 3 of the project. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?a. Technology for CSA farmers b. Social Media, Memory Fox c. Logistics re: operational efficiencies and innovations for CSA operators d. SNAP-Ed training for those participating with local SNAP-Ed implementers. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?a. Webpages, Directory b. Social media and marketing c. In-person meetings with state legislators, the Governor's office, and through many statewide partner networks. d. Promotion via SNAP-Ed programs e. Reports provided back to CSA What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Goal 1. CSA members will continue to be involved in program planning, implementation, and evaluation activities. We added a pre- survey in our participant level evaluation for 2023. Capacity Building grant funds were awarded for additional program improvements and innovation based on their reported needs. We have engaged customers (N=38; n=33 via focus group and n=5 via interview) and will be analyzing using thematic analysis to inform processes and resources. Goal 2. 14 CSAs will offer at least 25 20-week shares CSAs to SNAP-recipients with a 75% incentive per share. 6,595 shares with incentives were sold in Year Two by 18 CSAs. We intend to onboard more CSAs for year 3. Goal 3. SNAP-Ed will be offered at 8 of our CSA sites to support member retention, promote fresh fruit and vegetable consumption, and minimize food waste. SNAP-Ed providers (n=4) have been recruited to plan, implement, and evaluate retention, promotion of fresh fruit and vegetable consumption, and minimize food waste. For year3, CSAs with SNAP-Ed have increased to 7. Goal 4. Farm to Family will expand to up to 16 communities in Year Two. - 12 We had 12 GusNIP CSAs and intend to onboard 3-4 more for year 3. Additional firms (n=6) operated through GusCRR funding. Goal 5 At least 750 SNAP-recipient households will purchase an incentivized CSA share. Data collected in Year Two and Three is being analyzed now to improve estimates of unique customer information. The 750-household goal will still apply as an outcome for the end of the program in Year Four. We invited customers to share their experience via focus group/interview conversations to further define the strengths and challenges they have to purchase an incentivized CSA. Through these conversations we will be able to better support CSA sites in attracting, retaining, and supporting customers which will impact the number of SNAP-recipient households who purchase an incentivized box before the four-year grant period ends. Goal 6 At least 125 of the SNAP households who purchased a CSA share in the first three years of the program will purchase at least one additional CSA share in a subsequent year. Data collected in Year Two and Three is being analyzed now to improve estimates of unique customer information. The 750-household goal will still apply as an outcome for the end of the program in Year Four. We invited customers to share about their experience via focus group/interview conversations to further define the strengths and challenges they have to purchase an incentivized CSA. Through these conversations we will be able to better support CSA sites in attracting, retaining, and supporting customers which will impact the number of SNAP-recipient households who purchase an incentivized box before the four-year grant period ends. Goal 7. Based on learnings and evaluation, a Playbook will be developed to support communities (current and future) in implementing Farm to Family. Progress: a. Construction of the Table of Contents for the Playbook has begun. It is, based on learnings at this point in the program. Development of the contents will continue, underway as well as collecting / archiving existing documents, processes, and procedures that have been used successfully. It is structured according to the various functions such as operations, administration, evaluation, communication, and best practices. b. The very detailed outline will be finalized by December 31, 2023 Goal 8. At least 25% of CSA members surveyed will self-report an increase in consumption frequency of fruits and vegetables. a. We have put in place pre-post survey collection as well as customer fucus groups / interviews measure increased fruit and vegetable consumption. Collection and Analysis is in progress and on-going per the 4-year grant period. Goal 9. Through multi-sector food systems coalition efforts, MFF will continue to convene organizations to sustain and scale Farm to Family. a. We will dig deeper to strengthen partnerships to expand and evolve Michigan Farm to Family efforts as well as SNAP-Ed relationships. Food access and agriculture sector partners will be sought. Through support of Michigan state legislature, full financial match has been secured. b. CSA site staff and farmers were invited to share via conversations and surveys the ways they might want to be engaged in future food systems convenings. We will collate responses and use those to inform CSA site staff and farmers about resources and opportunities for them to engage in such efforts. Additionally, thematic analysis will be completed to help MFF staff inform the type of conveying that might be beneficial to the CSA work.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goals / Progress 1. CSA members will engage in program planning, implementation, and evaluation activities. Progress: a. CSAs firms/vendors participated in a process evaluation/debrief meeting in April of 2022 to provide input about successes, challenges, solutions, and suggestions to improve program implementation for Year Two. b. CSA Firms have been trained to use on-line reporting systems, and on-line surveying. They've learned about SNAP-Ed programming and how to use social media to recruit members. c. CSA Firms are engaging in program planning, implementation, and evaluation activities. 2. Local partners (firms) will offer at least 25 20-week CSA memberships to SNAP-recipients with a 75% incentive on the share price. Progress: a. All thirteen participating CSAs offered 12-28-week CSA memberships to SNAP recipients with a 75% incentive (discount issued) on all shares sold. 3. SNAP-Ed will be offered to CSA members to support member retention, promote fresh fruit and vegetable consumption, and minimize food waste. Progress: a. In Year Two, five of the twelve CSA firms partnered with local SNAP-Ed Implementing Agencies to offer direct or indirect nutrition education to participants as part of the food pick-up process. Resources included recipes, nutrition education lessons (such as Cooking Matters for Home and Michigan Harvest of the Month), food tastings, and food demonstrations related to the foods in the CSA box. Nutrition Education Reinforcement Items and referrals to other SNAP-Ed programming provided in their local communities was also accomplished. b. Developed CSA Food Navigator resource specific to our CSA network. We are continuing to fine-tune this resource and recruit local SNAP-Ed partners to provide nutrition ed resources at all CSAs that requested it. c. Nine (9) CSAs will partner with SNAP-Ed partners to offer nutrition ed resources in year three. 4. Farm to Family will expand from 8 communities in Year 1 to 17 communities by Year 4 Progress: a. In Year One, GusNIP / Michigan Farm to Family CSA operated with 8 CSAs in Michigan. In Year Two,12 CSAs. b. In year two, 6 additional CSAs were funded via GusCRR in our statewide network, for a total of 18 CSAs. c. In year three Michigan Farm to Family: CSA will start with 11 GusNIP and 10 GusCRR CSAs. 5. At least 750 SNAP-recipient households will purchase an incentivized CSA share. Progress: In Year Two, 6595 shares were sold. We transitioned our data collection tools to more accurately report the number of unique households that purchased a share. There have been 761 unique households' who purchases one incentivized CSA share overtime. This is based on actual counts of unique ids and the attribution of at least one CSA purchased by a unique household of the CSAs season year after year. Given the transition in tools and data management only 50% of the total CSAs are represented in the counts to date. We will continue to clean, analyze, and summarize the data. a. We have exceeded this outcome and will continue to measure unique households' overtime for the end of the program in Year Four. 6. At least 125 of the SNAP households who purchased a CSA share in the first three years of the program will purchase at least one additional CSA share in a subsequent year. Progress: In Year Two, 6595 shares were sold. We transitioned our data collection tools to verify the number of unique households that purchased a share year after year. There have been 130 unique households' who have purchased a CSA year after year. Given the transition in tools and data management only 50% of the total CSAs are represented in the counts to date. This is based on actual counts of unique ids and the shares they purchased at the respective CSA site each week of the CSAs season year after year. We will continue to clean, analyze, and summarize the data. a. We have exceeded this outcome and will continue to measure retention and purchasing frequency overtime for the end of the program in Year Four. 7. Based on learnings and evaluation, a Playbook will be developed to support communities (current and future) in implementing Farm to Family. Progress: a. Construction of the Table of Contents for the Playbook has begun. Development of the contents are now underway as well as collecting / archiving existing documents, processes, and procedures that have been deemed successful. It is structured according to the various functions such as operations, administration, evaluation, communication, and best practices. b. Playbook construction is based on learnings from farmers and community outreach coordinators. Customer feedback is in progress and will be applied upon completion of collection, analysis, and summary. c. The very detailed outline will be finalized by December 31, 2023. 8. At least 25% of CSA members surveyed will self-report an increase in consumption frequency of fruits and vegetables. Progress: a. We have put in place pre-post survey collection as well as customer fucus groups / interviews to measure increased fruit and vegetable consumption. Collection and Analysis is in progress and on-going per the 4-year grant period. 9. Through multi-sector food systems coalition efforts, MFF will convene organizations to sustain and scale Farm to Family. Progress: b. MFCSA's statewide recruitment partners help connect people with SNAP to a local CSA. We have partnerships in place with the Michigan Association for Child Development (daycare homes and centers) Michigan's Summer Feeding Program (Meet Up and Eat Up), the Michigan Farmers Market Association, the Food Bank Council of Michigan, food pantries and other emergency food providers, MFF SNAP-Ed implementing agencies, and MSUs MI CSA Network.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:CSA Farmers and SNAP recipients in thirteen (13) Michigan communities in Year 2 of the project. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?a. Technology for CSA farmers b. Logistics re: operational efficiencies and innovations for CSA operators c. Food policy at state and federal level related to match seeking How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?a. Webpages b. Taste the Local Difference Blog c. Social media and marketing d. In-person meetings with state legislators, the Governor's office, and thru many statewide partner networks. e. Promotion via SNAP-Ed programs What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Goal 1. CSA members will continue to be involved in program planning, implementation, and evaluation activities. We have added a pre-post survey in our evaluation. Because this program is somewhat trailblazing, we could not anticipate ahead of time some of the supports CSA operators and communities would need. Mini grant funds are being solicited for additional program improvements and innovation. Goal 2. 14 CSAs will offer at least 25 20-week shares CSAs to SNAP-recipients with a 75% incentive per share. We project 7500 shares with incentives will be sold in Year Two (435 shares per week for 16 weeks) because of an increase in CSA operators. Goal 3. SNAP-Ed will be offered at 8 of our CSA sites to support member retention, promote fresh fruit and vegetable consumption, and minimize food waste. SNAP-Ed providers have been recruited to plan, implement and evaluate relevant education. Goal 4. Farm to Family will expand to up to 16 communities in Year Two. Goal 5 At least 750 SNAP-recipient households will purchase an incentivized CSA share. a. Data collected in Year Two will be built out to improve estimates of unique customer information. b. The 750-household goal will still apply as an outcome for the end of the program in Year Four. Goal 6. At least 125 of the SNAP households who purchased a CSA share in the first three years of the program will purchase at least one additional CSA share in a subsequent year. We have put in place the reporting mechanisms to measure this. We appear to be on target for this outcome. Goal 7. Based on learnings and evaluation, a Playbook will be developed to support communities (current and future) in implementing Farm to Family. The Table of Contents for the Playbook will be created in Year Two, based on learnings at this point in the program. Development of the contents are now underway as well as collecting / archiving existing documents, processes, and procedures that have been used successfully. Goal 8. At least 25% of CSA members surveyed will self-report an increase in consumption frequency of fruits and vegetables. We have put in place the reporting mechanisms to measure retention and consumption frequency. Goal 9. Through multi-sector food systems coalition efforts, MFF will continue to convene organizations to sustain and scale Farm to Family. We will dig deeper to strengthen partnerships to expand and strengthen Michigan Farm to Family leveraging also GusCRR efforts as well as SNAP-Ed relationships.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1. CSA members will engage in program planning, implementation, and evaluation activities. Progress: a. CSAs firms/vendors participated in a process evaluation/debrief meeting in April of 2022 to provide input about successes, challenges, solutions, and suggestions to improve program implementation for Year Two. b. CSA Firms have been trained to use on-line reporting systems, and on-line surveying. They've learned about SNAP-Ed programming and how to use social media to recruit members. c. CSA Firms are engaging in program planning, implementation, and evaluation activities. d. MFF is planning to collect data from CSA firms/vendors and participants via a new CSA customer survey in Year Two. 2. Local partners will offer at least 25 20-week CSA memberships to SNAP-recipients with a 75% incentive on share price. Progress: a. All eight participating CSAs offered 16-28-week CSA memberships to SNAP recipients with a 75% incentive (discount issued) with all shares sold. b. We learned that there is tremendous variety in how CSAs define their seasons and how they define their customer base (including the membership model) thus how processes and outcomes are parsed needs to be reconsidered. 3. SNAP-Ed will be offered to CSA members to support member retention, promote fresh fruit and vegetable consumption, and minimize food waste. Progress: a. In Year One, four of the eight CSA firms partnered with local SNAP-Ed Implementing Agencies to offer direct or indirect nutrition education to participants as part of the food pick-up process. Resources included recipes, nutrition education lessons (such as Cooking Matters for Home and Michigan Harvest of the Month), food tastings, and food demonstrations related to the foods in the CSA box. Nutrition Education Reinforcement Items and referrals to other SNAP-Ed programming provided in their local communities was also accomplished. b. Shared CSA /SNAP-Ed best practices gleaned from Year One and are resulting in fine tuning of the nutrition education planning process for Year Two. c. More SNAP-Ed providers are signed up to partner with MFTF: CSA in Year Two. 4. Farm to Family will expand from 8 communities in Year 1 to 17 communities by Year 4 Progress: a. In Year One, Michigan Farm to Family CSA operated with 8 CSAs in Michigan. In Year Two, CSAs in up to 16 (15 confirmed to date) communities will be active statewide. 5. At least 750 SNAP-recipient households will purchase an incentivized CSA share. Progress: a. In Year One, 3,511 shares representing approximately 400 households were sold by the 8 CSAs in the program. b. Data collected in Year Two will be built out to improve estimates of unique customer information. c. The 750-household goal will still apply as an outcome for the end of the program in Year Four. 6. At least 125 of the SNAP households who purchased a CSA share in the first three years of the program will purchase at least one additional CSA share in a subsequent year. Progress: a. We have put in place the necessary tracking and reporting mechanisms to measure retention and purchasing frequency. We appear to be on target for this outcome. 7. Based on learnings and evaluation, a Playbook will be developed to support communities (current and future) in implementing Farm to Family. Progress: a. The Table of Contents for the Playbook will be created in Year Two, based on learnings at this point in the program. Development of the contents are now underway as well as collecting / archiving existing documents, processes, and procedures that have been used successfully. b. Planned process and outcome evaluation will provide important information for future implementers of the CSA project. c. We appear to be on target for this outcome. 8. At least 25% of CSA members surveyed will self-report an increase in consumption frequency of fruits and vegetables. Progress: a. We have put in place the reporting mechanisms to measure retention and consumption frequency. 9. Through multi-sector food systems coalition efforts, MFF will convene organizations to sustain and scale Farm to Family. Progress: a. Expanded outreach with local food systems, SNAP-Ed partnerships, and targeted social media in markets where CSA Firms exist will be a focus of Year Two efforts, examples being Head Start programs and senior housing projects.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:CSA Farmers and SNAP recipients in eight (8) Michigan communities in Year 1 of the project Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? CSA Firms will engage in program planning, implementation, and evaluation activities. CSA Firms have been trained to use on-line reporting systems, and on-line surveying. They've learned about SNAP-Ed programming and how to use social media to recruit members. CSA Firms and local SNAP-Ed agencies have collaboratively written workplans for providing SNAP-Ed nutrition education resources. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Creation of Michigan Farm to Family prospectus document MF2FCSA webpage https://michiganfitness.org/food/michigan-farm-to-family-web-directory Social media outreach plan implementation Outreach with partners such as Michigan Farmers Market Association, the Michigan Center for Regional Food Systems, Michigan Good Food Charter, Healthy Kids/Healthy Michigan. Michigan SNAP-Ed Implementing Agencies, Health Departments, and food banks to spread the word about joining a CSA and help recruit members and CSAs in 2022 What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Goal 1: CSA members will engage in program planning, implementation, and evaluation activities. Support CSA Firms in their member recruitment efforts via Farm to Family webpage, social media and leveraging partnerships Hold quarterly CSA Firm peer-to-peer learning sessions Seek input about CSA Firm operations for the Playbook Evaluate nutrition education resource component and modify if needed Goal 2.Local partners will offer at least 25 20-week CSAs to SNAP-recipients with a 75% incentive on share price. Support CSA Firms in their member recruitment efforts via social media and leveraging partnerships Share best practices so CSA Firms can learn from each other how to recruit customers Goal 3.SNAP-Ed will be offered to CSA members to support member retention, promote fresh fruit and vegetable consumption, and minimize food waste. Share CSA /SNAP-Ed best practices gleaned from Year 1 and fine tune nutrition education planning process as needed Goal 4.Farm to Family will expand from 8 communities in Year 1 to 17 communities by Year 4 We are already recruiting CSAs for Year 2 Partner with Michigan Farmers Market Association to invite and identify possible new CSA participants Goal 5.At least 750 SNAP-recipient households will purchase an incentivized CSA share. Support CSA Firms in their member recruitment efforts via social media and leveraging partnerships Share best practices so CSA Firms can learn from each other how to recruit customers Goal 6.At least 125 of the SNAP households who purchased a CSA share in the first three years of the program will purchase at least one additional CSA share in a subsequent year Member retention will be focus as Year 1 ends and during the Fall and winter months Goal 7.Based on learnings and evaluation, a Playbook will be developed to support communities (current and future) in implementing Farm to Family. In year 2 we will create the table of contents for our Playbook and begin obtaining and writing the content. Form a Playbook team with a few of the CSA Firms as advisors CSA Members learn how to optimize CSA food for meal planning, how to reduce waste etc.... Goal 8.At least 25% of CSA members surveyed will self-report an increase in consumption frequency of fruits and vegetables. Continue to recruit satisfied customers for Year 2 CSAs. Goal 9.Through multi-sector food systems coalition efforts, MFF will convene organizations to sustain and scale Farm to Family. Expand outreach with food systems and SNAP-Ed partnerships, Focus social media in markets where CSA Firms exist, schedule presentations to food coalitions and agriculture organizations.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1.CSA members will engage in program planning, implementation, and evaluation activities. CSA member input was collected about nutrition education resources preferences using an on-line survey Goal 2. Local CSA Firms will offer at least 25 20-week CSAs to SNAP-recipients with a 75% incentive on share price. Year 1 started in June 2021 with 8 CSAs, 152 members receiving incentivized shares. Goal 3. SNAP-Ed will be offered to CSA members to support member retention, promote fresh fruit and vegetable consumption, and minimize food waste. CSAs and local SNAP-Ed agencies have collaboratively written workplans for providing SNAP-Ed resources to CSA members. 3 CSAs have plans in place, 5 are in progress Goal 4.Farm to Family will expand from 8 communities in Year 1 to 17 communities by Year 4 In this first growing season, 8 CSAs in 8 communities are now in place. Goal 5.At least 750 SNAP-recipient households will purchase an incentivized CSA share. Year 1started in June 2021. Members purchased 292 shares in June, 550 shares in July and will grow as season continues. Goal 6.At least 125 of the SNAP households who purchased a CSA share in the first three years of the program will purchase at least one additional CSA share in a subsequent year N/A - still in Year 1. Goal 7. Based on learnings and evaluation, a Playbook will be developed to support communities (current and future) in implementing Farm to Family. At this time the table of contents is being developed. Content is being written as needed operationally. CSA members will learn about the health benefits of consuming fruit and vegetables. Goal 8. At least 25% of CSA members surveyed will self-report an increase in consumption frequency of fruits and vegetables. No survey results yet Goal 9. Through multi-sector food systems coalition efforts, MFF will convene organizations to sustain and scale Farm to Family. Partnerships to promote and scale Farm to Family to date are Head Start, MIFMA, the Michigan Good Food Charter, Healthy Kids/Healthy Michigan SNAP-Ed implementing agencies, Health Departments, and food banks. Partnerships provide channels for outreach to people who may be facing food insecurity. CSA communities will be selected with sustainability in mind. In Year 1, these partnerships are being leveraged to recruit and retain members and to recruit more CSAs for future years
Publications
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