A culturally specific community supported agriculture (CSA) program to improve diet in immigrant communities in Brooklyn, New York

Year Published:

Abstract

Anti-Asian and anti-immigrant sentiment has surged in the country in the last 3 years. Food insecurity is also on the rise; in our local needs assessment of n=1,270 Asian American adults in New York City, accessing food was cited as the #1 priority amongst those who needed help. Lastly, racial discrimination and food access are related with fear of being attacked – driving feelings of safety and therefore willingness to travel for food. To combat these narratives and leveraging pivots by our community partners, we implemented a community-supported agriculture pilot program (n=38) to assess whether culturally appropriate food access can improve diet and foster cross-cultural learning among immigrant families in Brooklyn, NY. Over a 20-week period from June to October 2022, participants received Chinese-specific produce and nutrition education. Participants reported eating more and a greater variety of vegetables and had higher vegetable intake measured via skin carotenoid scores. This pilot may inform the adaptation of nutrition interventions to reduce inequities in chronic diseases in immigrant communities.

Citation

Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

What works to increase food security in newcomer populations?

This evidence summary summarizes the state of available evidence regarding the impacts of various intervention types on the level of food insecurity faced by newcomers.

About this study

AGE: Adults

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: Positive impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Free

HOST COUNTRY: United States

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High

INTERVENTION: Urban agriculture

REGION OF ORIGIN OF PARTICIPANT(S): Asia – East

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Positive impact

TYPE OF STUDY: Suggestive evidence

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2025

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