Understanding Alternative Food Networks: Exploring the Role of Short Food Supply Chains in Rural Development

10.1068/a3510 ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 393-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henk Renting ◽  
Terry K Marsden ◽  
Jo Banks
Keyword(s):  
Rural Development ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Alternative Food ◽  
Alternative Food Networks ◽  
Food Supply Chains ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Food Networks ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Short Food Supply Chains

In this paper we explore the development and incidence of alternative food networks within a European-wide context. By developing a consistent definition of short food supply chains, we address both the morphology and the dynamics of these, and then examine empirical evidence concerning their incidence and rural development impact across seven EU member states. These developments need to be seen as one significant contribution to the current transitions in rural Europe concerning the crisis of conventional intensive and productivist agriculture and the public consumer pressure for a larger variety of distinctive ‘quality’ food products.

scholarly journals The Coexistence of Local and Global Food Supply Chains: The Lombardy Region Case Study

Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 540
Author(s):  
Chiara Mazzocchi ◽  
Stefano Corsi ◽  
Giordano Ruggeri
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Food System ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Alternative Food ◽  
Alternative Food Networks ◽  
Lombardy Region ◽  
Food Supply Chains ◽  
Food Networks ◽  
Global Food

Over the last years, the trust of consumers in the quality and sustainability of the food system has weakened due to the disconnection between producers and consumers. Alternative Food Networks (AFNs) and Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs), born out of the perceived loss of trust in the globalized food system, are trying to shorten the gap between farmers and consumers. Nowadays, many scholars agree that local and global food systems coexist, and consumers usually buy both in local and in global food chains. Our study aims to understand the factors that affect the development of AFNs with a specific focus on the interactions with small- and large-scale food retailing in the Lombardy region in the north of Italy. We employ an Ordinary Least Square (OLS) model, on a municipal scale, in which the dependent variable measures the number of participatory activities carried out by farmers and consumers in AFNs. The main results highlight that conventional large retailers and alternative food networks are linked, and that the coexistence of the two market channels may lead to the development for both of them. Contrarily, where small stores exist, they may compete with an alternative food channel, as they offer similar products and services.

scholarly journals Examining the Role of Local Products in Rural Development in the Light of Consumer Preferences—Results of a Consumer Survey from Hungary

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (13) ◽  
pp. 5473
Author(s):  
Konrád Kiss ◽  
Csaba Ruszkai ◽  
Antónia Szűcs ◽  
Gábor Koncz
Keyword(s):  
Rural Development ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Consumer Survey ◽  
Monthly Basis ◽  
Food Supply Chains ◽  
The North ◽  
Short Food Supply Chains

The scientific examination of short food supply chains is justified by consumer interest and their role in the European Unions’ subsidy policy and rural development. In our current article, we present the results of a consumer survey of more than a thousand people from Hungary. It was conducted in the North Hungarian (rural) region. Our research goals were: (1) To access consumer demand for short food supply chains and to determine the characteristics of consumers who prefer local foods; and (2) to examine the role of short food supply chains in rural development by a territorial comparison. The results showed that consumers’ willingness to pay a theoretical premium for local products was high (averagely +20.7%). Compared to that, we considered their monthly purchased quantity low. We found a statistically valid, yet weak, correlation that on a monthly basis, the purchase of local products was more significant for consumers from smaller settlements and villages than those from (greater) cities. Furthermore, there were factors in some consumers’ preferences that indicated a greater interest for small producers’ goods. Although it was not possible to assess the absolute demand of the studied rural area, these results (at a certain level) confirm the potential of short food chains in rural development.

scholarly journals Alternative Food Networks: Perceptions in Short Food Supply Chains in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 2578
Author(s):  
Sttefanie Yenitza Escobar-López ◽  
Santiago Amaya-Corchuelo ◽  
Angélica Espinoza-Ortega
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Alternative Food Networks ◽  
Social Conventions ◽  
Food Supply Chains ◽  
Conventional Foods ◽  
Alternative Spaces ◽  
Short Food Supply Chains ◽  
Theory Framework

Alternative spaces for the consumption of non-conventional foods as short commercialization chains have been increased worldwide, as well as the interest in understanding the dynamics developed in those initiatives from a social approach, has increased. This work aimed to analyze the Organizers, Producers and Consumers’ perceptions that participate in short food supply chains in ecological markets in the south of Spain. The Conventions Theory framework was used by applying a quantitative and qualitative methodology. A total of 159 questionnaires were applied (three to Organizers, 15 to Producers and 177 to Consumers). The questionnaire considered items related to social conventions for seven worlds (Domestic, Civic, Market, Industrial, Opinion and Inspired) and sociodemographic information. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to analyze the information. Results show that coincidences and divergences are observed in the importance given to the worlds; the Civic, Inspired and Opinion worlds are perceived similarly by the three types of actors and are related to the interest in how these activities benefit the environment. Differences are attributed to the role played by each type of actor and to socioeconomic aspects. Results can materialize into different strategies to improve these initiatives and reach more consumers.

scholarly journals Short Food Supply Chains: rebuilding consumers’ trust.

New Medit ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Food System ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Alternative Food Networks ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Food Supply Chains ◽  
Short Food Supply Chains

Whereas population is showing increasing distrust rates in the regular agri-food system, Alternative Food Networks (AFN) are gradually gaining space. This paper analyses the role of a specific kind of AFN, Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs) and its contribution to the restoration of consumers’ trust in Spain. An online survey (n= 423) focus on trust and concern over food safety was conducted. The survey was addressed to very concerned and active consumers, which are interesting because they represent a powerful consumers’ profile from the policies point of view. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) studied consumers’ preferences on the different SFSC categories. This paper draws a map that signals which of SFSC attributes (such as labelling, common values or direct contact with producers) are more relevant in order to build consumers’ trust. In addition, this paper offers a classification of SFSC consumers according to their priorities. The information provided by the article offers ideas to policy makers and producers for designing their marketing strategies according to different consumers’ demands.

scholarly journals Potential of Short Food Supply Chains, their Role and Support within the Rural Development Policy in the Slovak Republic

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-21
Author(s):  
Norbert Floriš ◽  
Pavol Schwarcz
Keyword(s):  
Rural Development ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Development Policy ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Slovak Republic ◽  
Food Supply Chains ◽  
Rural Development Programme ◽  
Rural Development Policy ◽  
Short Food Supply Chains

Absract Current unfavourable situation in agricultural sector of the Slovak Republic makes national public authorities to look for possible solutions for satisfaction of local producers and consumers as well. Increase of domestic production in the programming period 2014-2020 with focus especially on producing high quality products is a challenge for Slovak government and local producers, too. In this paper we reveal the theoretical determination, legal limitations, opportunities for support and the level of implementation of short food supply chains as a tool for farmers, producers and processors to increase the added value of their products through promotion of existing and creation of new local markets. The possible support is described both in terms of the rural development policy as well as the regional policy, under limitations defined in European and national legal documents. The level of implementation of short food supply chains in agricultural sector of the SR is described in relation to the Rural Development Programme of the Slovak Republic 2014-2020.

scholarly journals Kurze Ketten im Lebensmittelbereich

Standort ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gesine Tuitjer
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Food Supply Chains ◽  
Short Food Supply Chains

ZusammenfassungShort Food Supply Chains (SFSC), also kurze Wertschöpfungsketten im Lebensmittelbereich, sind ein verbreiteter Ansatz in der Regionalentwicklung – im ländlichen wie auch im städtischen Kontext. Aufgrund der Breite des Konzeptes sind empirische Belege für die regionalen Auswirkungen von kurzen Ketten jedoch uneindeutig und ihrem konkreten Aufbau stehen teilweise große Herausforderungen gegenüber. Im vorliegenden Text werden Direktvermarktung, Regionalvermarktungsinitiativen und regionalisierte vertikale Wertschöpfungsketten behandelt. Der Text fasst Ergebnisse einzelner Fallstudien zusammen, die zwischen 2015 und 2019 in 6 ländlichen Kreisen durchgeführt wurden. Im Text werden Herausforderungen für die Entwicklung dieser kurzen Ketten skizziert und mögliche Chancen aufgezeigt. Der Ausbau von alternativen Vermarktungswegen kann beispielsweise durch Infrastruktur im Bereich der Lagerung und Logistik unterstützt werden. Ein weiteres zentrales Ergebnis stellt die Notwendigkeit von Netzwerkvermittlern dar, die Kooperationen zwischen Produzenten innerhalb einer Region entlang vertikaler Wertschöpfungsketten begleiten bzw. initiieren.

scholarly journals The Behavior of Dairy Consumers in Short Food Supply Chains during COVID-19 Pandemic in Suceava Area, Romania

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3072 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioan Sebastian Brumă ◽  
Codrin Dinu Vasiliu ◽  
Steliana Rodino ◽  
Marian Butu ◽  
Lucian Tanasă ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Dairy Products ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Buying Behavior ◽  
Food Supply Chains ◽  
Short Food Supply Chains ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Methods

In Romania, there is an emerging market of dairy products delivered through short food supply chains. Although this distribution system has existed since the communist period, and even though more than three decades have passed since then, the market fails to be mature, subject to taxation, or achieve a high diversity in terms of dairy categories, with a consolidated marketing culture that has significant effects on the regional socio-economic environment. The aim of this study was to observe whether the Corona Virus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) crisis has influenced consumer behavior regarding dairy products delivered directly from producers in Suceava County, Romania. The research is based on a survey conducted between April and May, 2020, and the analysis relies on both quantitative and qualitative methods (namely, anthropological and ethnographic). From the provided responses, it a change was observed in the future buying behavior on short food supply chains, in a positive sense. One of the key findings was that family represents the main environment for passing on the values that influence the buying behavior. Another key finding was that the behavioral changes on the short food supply chains exert pressure on their digital transformations.

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