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Receiving Assistance and Local Food System Participation

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  • Rebecca L. Som Castellano

    (Department of Sociology, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA)

Abstract

A body of literature has noted that local food systems (LFSs) may not involve active participation by individuals with lower incomes. This is, in part, a function of racial and class hegemony, as well as physical and financial accessibility of LFSs. LFS institutions, such as farmers’ markets, have been working to facilitate receipt of food assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Charitable assistance programs, such as food banks, have also been actively working to engage in LFSs, for example, by making local foods available. However, little research has explored the role that receiving public or charitable assistance can play in influencing LFS participation. In this article, I utilize quantitative and qualitative data collected from across the state of Ohio to examine the relationship between receiving assistance and LFS participation for women, who remain predominately responsible for food provisioning in the U.S., including among those who participate in LFSs. Quantitative results suggest that receiving assistance can increase participation in LFSs. Qualitative data provides more nuanced information about the importance of food assistance for women who want to participate in LFSs, and suggest that it is essential that food cooperatives and farmers’ markets are equipped to receive food assistance programs, such as SNAP, in order for women with lower incomes to participate in LFSs.

Suggested Citation

  • Rebecca L. Som Castellano, 2017. "Receiving Assistance and Local Food System Participation," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 6(1), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:6:y:2017:i:1:p:18-:d:90554
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Martinez, Steve & Hand, Michael & Da Pra, Michelle & Pollack, Susan & Ralston, Katherine & Smith, Travis & Vogel, Stephen & Clarke, Shellye & Lohr, Luanne & Low, Sarah & Newman, Constance, 2010. "Local food systems: concepts, impacts, and issues," MPRA Paper 24313, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Elton Mykerezi & Bradford Mills, 2010. "The Impact of Food Stamp Program Participation on Household Food Insecurity," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 92(5), pages 1379-1391.
    4. Jones, P. & Bhatia, R., 2011. "Supporting equitable food systems through food assistance at farmers' markets," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 101(5), pages 781-783.
    5. Steven T. Yen & Margaret Andrews & Zhuo Chen & David B. Eastwood, 2008. "Food Stamp Program Participation and Food Insecurity: An Instrumental Variables Approach," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 90(1), pages 117-132.
    6. Tiehen, Laura & Jolliffe, Dean & Gundersen, Craig, 2012. "Alleviating Poverty in the United States: The Critical Role of SNAP Benefits," Economic Research Report 262233, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    7. Rebecca Som Castellano, 2015. "Alternative food networks and food provisioning as a gendered act," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 32(3), pages 461-474, September.
    8. Candace Young & Allison Karpyn & Nicky Uy & Katy Wich & Jonathan Glyn, 2011. "Farmers' markets in low income communities: impact of community environment, food programs and public policy," Community Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(2), pages 208-220, April.
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