Small and Midscale Food Value Chains: A State of the Art

Duncan Hilchey

doi:10.5304/jafscd.2011.014.019

Abstract

First paragraph:In this issue of JAFSCD we present the state of the art in small and medium-sized food value chains — primarily from a North American perspective, but also with perspectives from Europe and South America. Values-based food supply chains (value chains) are strategic alliances between farms, ranches, and other supply chain partners who deal in sufficient volumes of high-quality, differentiated food products and distribute rewards equitably across the supply chain. As Stevenson and colleagues remind us, in FVCs, farmers and ranchers are treated as strategic partners, not as interchangeable — and exploitable — input suppliers. Ideally, all partners in these business alliances recognize that creating maximum value for the product depends on significant interdependence, collaboration, and mutual support.

Highlights

In this issue of JAFSCD we present the state of the art in small and medium-sized food value chains — primarily from a North American perspective, and with perspectives from Europe and South America
The latter is led by a thoughtful group of land grant faculty and staff as well as consultants, all of whom have pioneered many of the principles and practical strategies highlighted and built upon in this issue. We hope it will stimulate further applied research and programming — and we encourage further manuscript submissions that build on this critical body of work. This issue begins with a reflective essay by University of Kentucky’s Bob Perry describing his experiences in trying to develop a local food service program for Kentucky State Parks
We accepted a wide range of papers that cover the range of emerging food value chains, from a cutting-edge multifarm CSA focused on food insecure neighborhoods in New York City, to the revolution of Bolivian potato markets made possible by expanding cell phone technology

Summary

Introduction

Small and midscale food value chains: A state of the art Published online 10 September 2011 In this issue of JAFSCD we present the state of the art in small and medium-sized food value chains — primarily from a North American perspective, and with perspectives from Europe and South America.

Results

Conclusion