Food Purchasing From Farmers’ Markets and Community-Supported Agriculture Is Associated With Reduced Weight and Better Diets in a Population-Based Sample

Abstract

This study examines associations between local food purchasing and diet-related outcomes. A population-based sample of 2228 households containing 4902 individuals completed surveys. Multilevel linear regressions determined the extent to which purchasing foods from farmers’ markets and community-supported agricultural (CSA) groups predicted individuals’ diet-related outcomes. After controlling for age, sex, education, income, and car ownership, frequency of shopping at farmers’ markets and CSAs predicted lower body mass index, B = −0.34 (0.66), P < .05 and B = −0.81 (0.37), P < .05, respectively, and waist circumference, B = −1.09 (0.40), P < .01 and B = −2.31 (0.96), P < .05, respectively, and better diet quality (for CSA use only), B = 3.46 (1.57), P < .05. Higher frequency of shopping at farmers’ markets and CSAs is associated with reduced body mass index and waist circumference, which may have important implications for agricultural and food policy.