Community supported agriculture (CSA): does it represent a transition trend of the agri-food system?

Abstract

Based on discussions in academic, political and economic circles about the productive system that has existed in recent decades, the transition from the agri-food system is questioned, considering in this context, the community supported agriculture (CSA), if this could represent a trend of this change In the sense that it is an international movement, which seeks to implement a peri-urban community food network, promoting the strengthening of family farming through the pre-financing of production, generating financial stability for the farmer. Therefore, this article aims to observe the Community Supports Agriculture (CSA), in order to describe the characteristics of production, distribution and development of this Community in the Federal District. In the results, it can be observed that the transition from the agri-food regime occurs on a regular basis, with the appearance of some movements that seek to minimize environmental impacts, even the large industry, having to adapt to international protocols, with conditionalities. At the same time, with the more urbanized population, a close market is needed to supply this demand, with consumers more active and concerned with issues beyond their diet. Therefore, the CSAs end up reaching small niches that do not have the economic weight or the power to produce the necessary transformation of the agri-food system but have the possibility of presenting themselves as a seed of change by proposing a new model of articulation between producers and consumers, as well as to disseminate and increase influence over other agents to adopt this model.