Browsing by Author "Thom, Amy"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Promoting Urban Agriculture for Development: Suggestions for Designing the 'Ideal' Social Enterprise Box Scheme in Cape Town
    (2012) Thom, Amy; Conradie, Beatrice
    Urban agriculture is now a component of many countries' socioeconomic development agendas. For urban agriculture to make a meaningful contribution to development, particularly in South Africa where chronic poverty persists, it must present viable, sustainable business opportunities in addition to its established social benefits. This study, of which this paper is one part, sets forth fresh produce box schemes operated with a social enterprise business model as one such development-orientated opportunity. Focused on Cape Town, the study compared three box scheme models currently in operation; analysed a survey of box scheme consumers to explore the consumer market; and investigated poor producers' agency through cross-case analysis. This paper builds on study data presented elsewhere that evidence consumer demand, as well as demonstrate a social enterprise's ability to compete in the existing market and positively impact disadvantaged urban farmers. The discussion here delves into results around consumer motivations, satisfaction and purchasing habits, in conjunction with the application of Haldy's box scheme development model. This analysis produces suggestions for key characteristics of the 'ideal' social enterprise box scheme that is both financially sustainable and which contributes to improvements in poor producers' agency.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Urban Agriculture, Social Enterprise and Box Schemes in Cape Town
    (2012) Thom, Amy; Conradie, Beatrice
    The social benefits of urban agriculture, such as improving food security, developing a sense of community and promoting ecological conservation, are well documented in the literature and in practice. However, in order to contribute to sustainable economic development, urban agriculture must also present viable business opportunities. This study set forth fresh produce box schemes operated via a social enterprise model as a context-appropriate, economically viable business opportunity for promoting inclusive socioeconomic development. Using mixed-methods, three box scheme business models were compared and a survey of 354 current subscribers to box schemes in Cape Town was analysed. Qualitative analysis of the box scheme models reveals potential strengths and weaknesses of each enterprise. Survey results presented here indicate that participating households source half their fresh produce and a quarter of their groceries overall from box schemes, demonstrating consumer demand and establishing a market. The survey data further show the social enterprise box scheme to capture a competitive portion of this market and deliver as much consumer satisfaction as other business models, suggesting that this type of enterprise can hold its own in the market. The findings presented in this paper suggest that a social enterprise box scheme is a viable model for urban agriculture-related socioeconomic development in Cape Town.