Purpose While many characteristics of food consumption have been examined, little
attention has been given to the health potential of consuming from local food communities.
Local food communities, including community supported agriculture (CSA) are food initiatives,
which try to respond to the healthy food, environmental or socioeconomic challenges
of the food system. As a step toward understanding local food communities, this study
sets out to examine the health-related adaptivity and self-management practices of
CSA participation. Design/methodology/approach The qualitative research approach,
which included semi-structured interviews (n = 35), was designed to discover the potential
for being healthy: the ability to adapt and to self-manage among CSA participants.
The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings The results suggest that
local food communities can influence health-related adaptivity and self-management
in the following themes: awareness of product origins; enhanced food-management capability;
expanding applicability and usability of the food environment; and strengthening one's
food-related self-image. Practical implications Increasing the presence of local food
communities might be part of developing strategies to evaluate the health effects
of the local food environment and to encourage consumers to take responsibility for
their own health. Originality/value This study extends the food consumption literature
to include new knowledge about how local food communities facilitate individual efforts
to enhance their own potential for health as well as improving understanding of the
mechanisms that underpin a healthy diet.
