An independent study published today by the University of Essex reveals that the CoFarm model drives multiple benefits for co-farming participants and wider beneficiaries.

The research, which was led by Dr Neli Demireva, Research Director and Senior Lecturer at the University’s Department of Sociology, was funded by the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC), part of UK Research & Innovation (UKRI).

The study involved conducting in-depth interviews with 17 of CoFarm Cambridge’s 500 volunteer co-farmers as well as other community stakeholders and partner organisations such as Abbey People CIO and Cambridge Sustainable Food CIC.

Participants in the study highlighted the role that co-farming has played in helping them to maintain good mental health throughout successive coronavirus lock-downs, as well as increasing their awareness and engagement in food justice issues.

To read the highlights or download the full report, “Social Cohesion, Community Responses to Sustainability, Food Insecurity and Alternative Food Networks: The Case of CoFarm” from the University of Essex’s website, click here.

The study has ‘sown the seeds’ for the University to begin exploring establishing their own CoFarm on the University campus in Wivenhoe, to benefit staff, students and members of the local community.

In the coming months, Dr Demireva will be producing further research on the impact of co-farming from the perspective of beneficiaries of the community food hubs CoFarm Cambridge has been donating all of its produce to.