from the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development |
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JAFSCD is the world’s only community-supported journal. JAFSCD content is open access (free) thanks to the generous support of our shareholders: the JAFSCD Shareholder Consortium, Library Shareholders, a growing number of Individual Shareholders, and our six JAFSCD Partners: |
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Community-based circular food systems articles now underway
JAFSCD is publishing a special issue in response to the call for papers on community-based circular food systems (C-B CFSs) — local and regional food systems that emphasize a community’s health and well-being while minimizing waste and protecting shared natural resources. Over the next few weeks, JAFSCD News Flashes share the published articles; see the latest one below!
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More information on community-based circular food systems and some background on the call (now closed) can be found here. |
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Farm stops are a new, little-researched retail concept. They are brick-and-mortar, mission-driven grocery stores that are open year-round and prioritize supporting local farms. Farm stops are unique compared to other local food distribution models, such as farmers markets, food hubs, or co-ops, because they operate primarily on high-margin consignment. This enables farmers and producers greater capacity to control prices, own their products until sold, and generally earn more revenue than they would in a typical retail sale. While operating on consignment may have possible drawbacks for farmers, such as increased risk and competition, consignment gives farmers the opportunity to obtain the real value of their products.
In a new JAFSCD article, Farm stops: Understanding a new model for local food distribution, author Kathryn Barr presents initial findings from an exploratory, survey-based research study that aimed to understand whether farm stops contribute to community-based circular food systems in the United States. The survey was conducted with the customer base of four U.S. farm stops. This paper also serves as an introduction to a guidebook on how to develop farm stops in any locale. Kathryn can be contacted at katbarr@umich.edu.
KEY FINDINGS Overall, survey results indicate that respondents believe the following: - Farm stops have a strong presence in their communities.
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Farm stops help them feel they are contributing to the development of a community-based circular food system.
- Farm stops increase long-term community resilience by providing reliable, year-round sales outlets for local producers.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY, PRACTICE, AND RESEARCH Farm stops appear to be a worthy investment for enhancing community-based circular food systems, but additional research is needed to confirm findings and further encourage their growth. SHARE ON YOUR SOCIALS A combination of a grocery store and a farmers market, can a farm stop enhance your community’s local food system? #communitybasedcircularfoodsystem #farmstop #localfood #localeconomy Read the full @JAFSCD article for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2025.142.031 |
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Photo above: Argus Farm Stop, Ann Arbor, Michigan; photo by Will Brinkerhoff Photography. |
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Food justice workforce development programs are important spaces for youth empowerment, resilient food systems, and community well-being.
JAFSCD peer-reviewed article by Catherine Horwitz and Teresa Mares (both at the University of Vermont) |
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Youth food justice programs hire teenagers to engage in food justice projects in their neighborhoods. These community-oriented programs encourage youth to discover their natural strengths through farming, cooking, food distributions, and personal and professional development.
In a new JAFSCD article, Empowering teens through food justice: An exploration of youth development programs, Horwitz and Mares explore the youth development outcomes of five youth food justice programs in the northeastern U.S. Horwitz and Mares use a lens of Positive Youth Development to highlight how youth discover their natural strengths through participation in these programs. Youth reported gaining systems-thinking, a deeper sense of community, positive relationships with adult mentors and peers, and feelings of self-efficacy. Results suggest that participating in these programs made youth feel greater connection to their food system, their communities, and themselves.
KEY FINDINGS - Youth become a part of a forgiving work environment that encourages self-efficacy, self-worth, empowerment, and trust.
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Through learning about food justice, youth gain an understanding of systemic oppression happening in their communities and gain a passion for social justice.
- Youth gain skills in growing food, food literacy, leadership, and community engagement.
- Youth create meaningful connections with their communities, adult mentors, and peers.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY, PRACTICE, AND RESEARCH
- Researchers should spend time with alums of these programs to provide insight into the long-lasting benefits these programs have on youth livelihoods and community well-being.
- More research should be done that highlights youth voices. What do youth want to get out of these programs? How do youth feel these programs can thrive?
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Funding is a significant barrier to youth food justice programming. Policymakers must recognize the long-lasting benefits these programs have not only on workforce development, but on resilient food systems, community well-being, and youth empowerment.
SHARE ON YOUR SOCIALS
How are teens empowered through food justice jobs? Food justice workforce development programs empower youth to connect with their food systems, their communities, and themselves. This new JAFSCD article explores what teens have to say about their experience at five youth food justice programs in the northeastern U.S. #youthdevelopment #foodjustice #workforce Read the full @JAFSCD article for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2025.142.017
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Photo above: Community Farm at Urban Growing Corps, one of the study locations where youth learned about growing food. Photo by Catherine Horwitz. |
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JOB OPPORTUNITY IN VALUE CHAIN COORDINATION! |
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The Food Connection at the University of Kentucky (TFC) is seeking a Post Doctoral Scholar to conduct applied research on value chain coordination (VCC) in local and regional food systems.
This is a unique and high-impact postdoctoral researcher position, created in partnership with TFC, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Local and Regional Foods Division (LRFD), and the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (JAFSCD). The postdoctoral researcher will lead a novel multi-institution research initiative that results in scholarly publications, stakeholder-facing technical assistance resources, and policy recommendations at local, regional, and national scales. Hybrid remote/on-site (Lexington, KY) applicants are welcome!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS OR TO APPLY | |
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