CSA Express in detail
The Case for Transit-Oriented Food Pickup: Increase Ridership to Increase Local Foods
Objective:
Increase local food markets as a strategy to increase Skagit Transit ridership.
Problem:
For farmers:
Large-scale farms are acquiring mid-sized farms, and small farms need to compete on a different playing field.
For public transportation:
Public transportation needs more ridership to continue to serve the needs of its customers.
Solution:
Open alternative “farmers markets” aligned with Skagit Transit infrastructure. This will help local farmers access more customers, and it will improve Skagit Transit’s ridership experience.
Why Skagit Transit?
Skagit Transit is the public transportation authority in Skagit County. It connects to a transportation network that includes neighboring Snohomish and Whatcom Counties. Skagit Transit owns infrastructure that gathers and collects people at known places at known times. The bus schedule is important to know when and where people can be found for farmers to schedule their work to get to market on time.
The Skagit Transit’s “2018-2023 Strategic Plan” found the following:
Shopping is the number one reason for using Skagit Transit
52% of surveyed people do not have a personal vehicle
Van pools’ mileage is up >10% between 2016-2018
People are using Skagit Transit’s fixed-route service to shop because they often do not have cars to get to the store, and they are using the vanpool service to commute farther distances for work. Both of these situations are good indicators that Skagit Transit’s customers would benefit from bringing locally produced food closer to their transportation network. Skagit Transit customers would have more shopping options in closer proximity to each other, and vanpool customers would have food shopping markets available when they return from their commute.
Why local farmers?
Skagit County is a proud agricultural region, and its generous soils and climate offers an abundance of crops that can be produced. The USDA Census of Agriculture found that there were 1,041 farms in Skagit County. Large commodity growers and small organic farms are growing. From 2012 to 2017, the value of organic sales in Skagit County increased by 170% to $28.5 million. The Census found 441 new and beginning farmers. They often have little capital for land and equipment, and it is very difficult for new farmers. A new market to serve Skagit Transit’s customers will attract new and beginning farmers that can rapidly grow their businesses while acquiring experience and capital.
Additional Value of Orienting Local Food along Skagit Transit Routes
While the benefits for Skagit Transit customers and local farmers are expressed above, there is additional value packed into this project operation. Climate change is concerning, and local food is produced close to home, and it has low transportation requirements. Skagit Transit services move many people which reduces the amount of vehicles on the road. Both aspects reduce fossil fuel emissions that contribute to climate change. By aligning local food with transit infrastructure, this project will increase food access to fresh fruits and vegetables. More than half of Skagit Transit’s riders do not have a personal vehicle, and it will be able to serve low-income customers who use EBT. This project can lower barriers for both Skagit Transit customers and local farmers. If we do this right, we will get more people on the bus to support local food.
Sources of Influence
MARTA Market — Atlanta, GA; The goal of MARTA market is simple: to get healthy, fresh food into places where people already live.
GoodRoots Lockers — Order groceries online for pick-up at climate-controlled lockers to address needs in rural food and transportation deserts.
