Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1080/14735903.2023.2242181
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Food loss and waste in community-supported agriculture in the region of Leipzig, Germany
Author Voge, J.; Newiger-Dous, T.; Ehrlich, E.; Ermann, U.; Ernst, D.; Haase, D.; Lindemann, I.; Thoma, R.; Wilhelm, E.; Priess, J.; Egli, L. ORCID logo
Source Titel International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability
Year 2023
Department CLE
Volume 21
Issue 1
Page From art. 2242181
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Data and Software links https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8211114
Supplements https://ndownloader.figstatic.com/files/41895539
Keywords Alternative food systems; community-supported agriculture; direct marketing; food loss and waste; food supply chain; food system transformation; resource use efficiency
Abstract Community-supported agriculture (CSA) has the potential to reduce food loss and waste (FLW) due to a direct connection between consumers and producers, lower standards regarding product aesthetics and consumer-related values. Accordingly, CSA could compensate for possible yield gaps compared to conventional agriculture. Here, FLW and yields were assessed for one year in four CSA initiatives in the area of Leipzig, Germany, and compared to reference data. The results show that FLW during production, distribution and consumption were on average 22–70% lower compared to reference data. On average, due to lower FLW, the CSA initiatives could compensate for yield gaps of 32%, which reflects yield gaps typically observed between organic and conventional agriculture. Actual yield gaps in CSA might be lower, as agroecological approaches to increase productivity are widely adopted. The co-evaluation of the results with CSA gardeners showed that FLW could be further reduced in all stages. Reducing FLW was mentioned as an important sustainability goal of the investigated CSA initiatives, yet they also indicated a focus on biodiversity, education, food quality or the reduction of fossil fuels. This pilot study indicates that CSA can contribute to the transition towards sustainable and resilient food systems.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=27564
Voge, J., Newiger-Dous, T., Ehrlich, E., Ermann, U., Ernst, D., Haase, D., Lindemann, I., Thoma, R., Wilhelm, E., Priess, J., Egli, L. (2023):
Food loss and waste in community-supported agriculture in the region of Leipzig, Germany
Int. J. Agric. Sustain. 21 (1), art. 2242181 10.1080/14735903.2023.2242181