While formal voluntary organizations serve as important
‘‘schools of democracy,’’ many scholars have used a more
expansive definition of ‘‘third places’’ between work and
home at which citizens can come together and form bonds
of solidarity and trust (Tolbert 2005). Habermas (1989)
documented the importance of coffee houses in the 18th
century as providing essential sites for the development of
a healthy public sphere. Oldenburg (1991) examined the
contemporary importance of small local retail establishments such as cafes, barber shops, and grocery stores where
community members could come together and interact and
discuss matters of community importance. Despite the lack
of a formal structure or membership, these places nonetheless serve as venues through which the bonds of solidarity and trust are established, yielding broader social and
political benefits. Piore and Sabel (1984) found that
economies based on small, well-integrated firms made for
stronger communities that enjoyed greater civic engagement relative to those dominated by large enterprises.
Others have come to similar conclusions when considering
the agricultural sector, providing evidence that small-scale
local agricultural production is associated with greater
community well-being (Goldschmidt 1978; Lobao 1990;
Lyson et al. 2001; Tolbert et al. 1998). Thus, voluntary
organizations are but one means of fostering beneficial
social ties; such bonds can also be formed in conjunction
with economic activity, including the food and agriculture
sector