Short Food Supply Chains Research Articles

Short food supply chains for local food: a difficult path

AbstractAgri-food globalization is having a serious adverse impact on small- and medium-sized family farms in the province of Málaga (southern Spain), 43% of which have disappeared over the last 10 years. Short food supply chains (SFSCs) are emerging as a potential option for this type of farm, but as a strategy it is apparently not being implemented strongly enough over the region as a whole. The current case study sought to explore the initiatives carried out by local producers to date in implementing SFSCs throughout the province and to examine, from the standpoint of the production sector, the constraints hindering its development and the strategies currently being adopted with a view to addressing them. The analyses carried out under local producers perspective shows us that although SFSCs are interesting for family farms, in terms of prices, economic profit and social recognition, the abilities and capacities these channels require to producers, jointly with technical, flexibility and time demands, make these channels to be not that successful and attractive. Small producers interested in SFSCs must be aware of the special importance of social linkages and the need to take care of them; as well as of the need of establishing synergies and cooperation with other producers and stakeholders, in order to facilitate the tasks associated and that not every food product suit SFSCs.

Pallet Picking Strategy in Food Collecting Center

This study aims to analyze the optimal warehouse layout for agricultural and food collecting centers that help small–medium farms to trade in the short food supply chain, by choosing among longitudinal, transversal, and fishbone layout. The developed model allows for the identification of the warehouse ensuring the least impact through inbound material handling, under both an economic and an environmental perspective. The analysis was carried out by using an analytical model to minimize the travelling time of the goods from picking to delivery area. The model considers the different turnover index from which four hypotheses were formulated to implement the results. The Carbon Footprint (CF) and Management Costs (MCs) were calculated by the picking time performance. Findings: Results show that the optimal warehouse layout can be identified after a careful consideration of the turnover indexes. However, for seasonality, the optimal design might be missed across the seasons. Practical implications: the analysis hereby presented is related to those collecting centers aiming to gather conspicuous amounts of seasonal food.

A cross-cultural consumers’ perspective on social media-based short food supply chains

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to get a consumer’s cross-cultural insight on the potential of using social networking sites as short food supply chains.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative approach, using free listing tasks and sentence completion techniques, was adopted in this research. The research group decided to apply the study in three countries with different cultural backgrounds, namely, Mexico, Spain and Egypt. The final sample consisted of 424 respondents in total, including 209 Spanish, 111 Mexicans and 104 Egyptians, all of them actual users of social networks.FindingsThe most significant result that emerges from this study is that a high percentage of consumers within the three countries might be interested in these new short food chains. Also, the study offers food companies the most relevant motivations and barriers of consumers for their engagement to this initiative. Also, the study provides categories of foods that consumers would purchase via these chains in each country.Originality/valueThe multicultural perspective of this study might open new opportunities for food businesses around the world, especially for SMEs, to develop new short food supply chains enabling them to increase sale levels and, therefore, increase profitability and reduce costs.

Short food supply chain between micro/small farms and restaurants

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the strength and weakness connected to the implementation of a local food logistics services, designed to facilitate and enable the use of local food among restaurants.Design/methodology/approachA total of 60 restaurateurs located in a small Italian city and 100 owners of micro and small-sized farms, located within a 30 km radius from the city, have been interviewed. The collected data have been analysed through descriptive analysis and Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests for differences between gender, production type and business size.FindingsThe results agree with existing literature: poor communication and an unstructured logistics limit the interaction among actors. However, significant for the purpose, the data show that producers are interested in expanding their market and restaurateurs are interested in a broader supply of local products, and they both open to a logistics service that improves the supply of local food.Research limitations/implicationsThe following exploratory study is based on a sample of farmers and restaurants in a specific area so the results could not be generalised in a national/international context.Practical implicationsThe logistics service objective is the promotion of a sustainable territory development in support of the social economy values.Originality/valueThe study investigates this issue focussing on a practical solution of local food distribution system among restaurants. The logistics service tends to solve the logistics criticalities maintaining the principles of the short food supply chain.

Antecedents of farmers’ willingness to participate in short food supply chains

PurposeDespite the increasing consumers’ intent to support short food networks, the expansion of short food supply chains (SFSCs) remains limited. The purpose of this paper is to identify potential antecedents of farmers’ willingness to participate in SFSCs.Design/methodology/approachUsing data from a sample of Greek farmers the authors examined whether farmers’ citizenship behaviour, the levels of their perceived competencies and the degree to which they feel accepted by their communities affect their willingness to engage in SFSCs.FindingsResults indicate that producers’ citizenship behaviour does indeed have a positive impact on willingness to participate in SFSCs, whereas their perceptions of the acceptance they enjoy within their communities also significantly predict this willingness. On the contrary, self-perceived lack of communication and collaboration competencies diminishes this willingness.Originality/valueTo the best of our knowledge, this study is one of the first attempts to explore the role of farmers’ competencies in their willingness to participate in SFSCs. In addition, by integrating concepts derived from multiple disciplines, our work adds new factors in the wide spectrum of forces that impel or suppress farmers’ willingness to take part in alternative food distribution networks.

An integrated sizing and planning problem in designing diverse vegetable farming systems

To support the short food supply chain development in cities, we propose a diverse vegetable farm design model to maximise the farm revenue in response to clients' daily demands in local fresh fruits and vegetables. The model supports decision in creating or adapting farms within or around cities with viable business models. To the best of our knowledge, our model is a first attempt to integrate strategic and tactical decisions on multi-techniques, multi-products and multi-clients production systems. Integrating strategic and tactical decisions, we obtain new solutions that could not be obtained by separating the two decision levels, due to product short-time perishability constraints: on-plot and cold-room storage, loss functions and price reduction. We define a specific formulation of the production methods in the model to consider both cultivation and harvest tasks that compete for limited and expensive labour resource. This paper presents the mixed integer linear programme we develop, as well as graphical and computational results. We have been able to find relevant solutions on a real farm case study that demonstrates the interest of using short time-paces for the strategic sizing of a farm growing fresh perishable products.

The compromised, colonized discourse of alternative food

El artículo examina cómo y hasta qué punto el Movimiento Alimentario Alternativo (afm, por su sigla en inglés), en sus diversas versiones, ha impactado en un espacio discursivo alimentario dominado y ordenado por el sistema alimentario global-industrial. El movimiento ha logrado muchas victorias particulares: huertas escolares, almuerzos de cafetería más saludables, cadenas de suministro alimentarias más cortas, etiquetamiento de productos locales, prácticas orgánicas de cultivo y al menos un poco de compostaje. Algunas personas ven el conjunto de estos triunfos como el comienzo de uno más grande y más general y están listas para dar testimonio acerca de cómo el afm podría haber sido “exitoso”. Por el contrario, este artículo argumenta cómo no lo ha sido. Aunque el afm reúne partidarios de muy diverso origen y prioridad, y goza de amplia atención como objeto de estudio (Ashe, 2013), propongo que el movimiento se ve profanado precisamente por su alteridad. Los logros tan celebrados del afm se hallan limitados por y al interior de una epistemología de la ceguera (Santos, 2009, 2014), y así, ciega a su intoxicación filosófica, los éxitos del movimiento solo refuerzan aquello que pretenden combatir. Ciertamente, lo que denuncio aquí no es la totalidad del relato del movimiento alimentario. La base empírica que tomo como ejemplo, la “alteridad” institucionalmente dirigida de la ciudad de Nueva York, más bien apunta a la sustancia del relato que la capte totalmente. Aun así, el ejemplo de Nueva York y todo lo que denuncio al respecto incluye a gran parte del afm, una sección poderosa que surge desde el interior de los centros epistémicos del sistema-mundo (Wallerstein, 2011) y goza de —o se ve agobiada por— todas las prerrogativas cognitivas, políticas, sociales y económicas que esto implica. No obstante, las historias de futilidad y fracaso no se cuentan ni se venden fácilmente, y estas son las partes de la realidad del movimiento alimentario alternativo de las que poco se habla. En este trabajo me pronuncio al respecto: el movimiento alimentario alternativo es un caballo de Troya, o al menos aquellas partes suyas vinculadas a las promesas epistémicas de los centros del sistema-mundo moderno.

Who is feeding embeddedness in farmers' markets? A cluster study of farmers’ markets in Gipuzkoa

The embeddedness between producers and consumers has been one of the factors that have ensured the survival of farmers' markets (FM) as one of the main Short Food Supply Chains (SFSC) for agricultural producers. Although changes in the agri-food system in recent decades significantly reduced their position in the supply chain, farmers' markets have recently regained their appeal as a marketing channel within Alternative Food Networks (AFN). These networks value “buy local” and/or food “quality” as variables that help to build a relationship of mutual trust. The main aim of this research is to analyze the factors that encourage this relationship between producers and consumers involved in local markets. For this, an assessment of the social dimension of ten FMs in the province of Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain) is carried out. Through a Cluster Analysis, we study what motivations producers and consumers have for attending markets, and how these motivations influence the way in which they participate in FMs. The results of the research show how this explanatory factor of embeddedness depends on certain personal characteristics that define the way in which producers and consumers participate in FMs. In addition, the conclusions highlight the need to develop governance models in these marketing channels in order to ensure the legitimacy and viability of these initiatives. This implies setting challenges for managers and policymakers, as well as looking at future lines of research linked to the role of markets in AFNs.

Short food supply chain: characteristics of a family farm

ABSTRACT: Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs) provide a dependable substitute for conventional supply chains, as their food reflects the characteristics of “local”, “natural”, “healthy” and “reliable”. For the family farmer, the short chains constitute anexcellent way of diversifying their produce, gaining higher added value and thus warranting steadier revenues. This paper thus aims to discern the distinguishing features that the short chains offer, in general, to the family farm. To accomplish this, a literature review was performed to study the works done and approaches conducted on the short chains in the academy, in terms of family farm, and identify their specifications. Positive characteristics related to family farmers were recognizable in comparison with short chains. This article emphasized the significance and need for future research, as well as the necessity for a more extensive exploration of the subject of short chains, focusing attention on this sector, and pinpointing the determinants to be developed in the market.

Agroecological transition and reconfiguration of horticultural work among family farmers in Buenos Aires, Argentina

In Argentina, family farmers who engage in horticultural production have recently adopted the process of agroecological transition into their work. The process involves organisations, such as the Land Workers’ Union (UTT) cooperative, located in the horticultural belt in the province of Buenos Aires. The case study under analysis shows family farmers’ challenges with the agroecological transition process. These challenges include the reconfiguration of horticultural work, which impacts the skills needed to perform the work; the organisation of work; and the sustainability conditions involved in introducing agroecology as a social-productive model for growing vegetables. We examine start-up and development strategies for the agroecological transition process involving farmers and State agents. Our methodology is qualitative and we rely on semi-structured interviews and observations with family farmers belonging to the UTT cooperative. This paper explores how the process of agroecological transition that family farmers in Buenos Aires implement into their horticultural work affects their production and marketing practices. The primary goal is to explain the unequal evolution of this process. This inequality is particularly evident in the decision-making processes in which farmers engage prior to implementing the agroecological transition. They must consider a host of factors influencing their capacity to innovate and diversify production and sales through short food supply chains. These factors include their land tenure conditions (i.e., be a tenant or owner of the land), their level of economic capital (i.e., their access to greenhouses), and the size of their production. They largely account for the varying speeds at which farmers in this case study implement the process of agroecological transition into their farming.

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

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.

Short food supply chains and the issue of sustainability: a case study of French fruit producers

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the manifestations and interactions at work between the ecological, environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development and the development of short food supply chains (SFSCs) in French fruit production.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology is based on the theoretical framework associated with SFSCs and each pillar of sustainability. The authors use an original database of 176 surveys of peach and apricot producers from the major French production regions. Three composite indicators, one for each traditional pillar of sustainability, are calculated to evaluate a degree of sustainability at farm level. A simultaneous equations model is estimated on the basis of the calculated indicators.FindingsThe results show that in the choice of a supply chain design in the agricultural sector, the search for economic sustainability is opposed to a rationale of environmental and social sustainability, the latter appearing to be independent of one another.Originality/valueThis paper complements the previous studies on the issue of sustainability in agriculture and more specifically the relationship between the adoption of SFSCs and the pillars of sustainable development. The model reveals significant interdependencies, thus emphasizing an issue in reconciling economic imperatives with social or environmental requirements.

Short food supply chains in the digital age: which challenges ? An exploration

Short food supply chains in the digital age: which challenges ? An exploration

Food safety requirements in case of short food supply chain

It can be stated according to the relevant literature that the health related characteristics of the food products and the ethical values relating to the sustainable development and consumption gains on a growing importance among the preferences of the consumers. The article introduce the different possible types of Short Food Supply Chains, the various food safety requirements relating to them and the opinion of some relevant conventional and organic farmers about the prevailing of rules. The aim of this article is to give a picture of the evolution of the food safety regulations, than a broad review of the different SFSC types, and to find the differences between the farmers’ group. It investigates the most important characteristics of direct sale in the light of the recent food safety requirements among the surveyed farmers. The surveys were made as a preliminary research for a more comprehensive study.

Circuitos (não tão) curtos de comercialização e a promoção de princípios agroecológicos: um estudo de caso na região da grande Florianópolis

O desenvolvimento acelerado dos mercados de produtos orgânicos tem provocado um processo denominado de convencionalização da agricultura orgânica. Este processo vem influenciando, diretamente, na manutenção dos princípios agroecológicos, bem como no acesso a esses mercados por agricultores socioeconomicamente vulneráveis. À luz de perspectivas teóricas, que embasam as temáticas da agroecologia e dos circuitos curtos de comercialização, o artigo reflete acerca da influência do avanço dos mercados orgânicos nos princípios agroecológicos da autonomia dos agricultores e da valorização da agrobiodiversidade nas unidades produtivas. As reflexões são resultado de um estudo de múltiplos casos, no qual foram realizadas entrevistas com responsáveis por diferentes canais de comercialização e agricultores da região da Grande Florianópolis/SC. As análises indicam que os processos de comercialização, quando organizados por coletivos de agricultores e – em certos casos – mesmo contando com o aumento no número de intermediários, reforçam os princípios agroecológicos.

Determining the target groups of Hungarian short food supply chains based on consumer attitude and socio-demographic factors

Consistent with the trend witnessed in other European countries, in recent years there has been an increasing demand among Hungarian consumers for products purchased directly from farmers. However, no research has been published on the determination of clusters of consumers of short food supply chain (SFSC) products in Hungary. This study describes which groups of consumers are more likely to purchase such products, and their reasons for doing so. In the summer of 2013, 1,015 randomly-sampled adults were asked to complete questionnaires during face-to-face, on-street meetings with trained staff. The survey explored their willingness to support direct sales and production of local foods, their perceptions of product reliability, and their attitudes toward global supply-driven systems. As it was not possible to identify a clear structure of factors determining opinions, perceptions and attitudes directly from the results of the questionnaires, principal component analysis was performed, and K-mean cluster analysis was used to partition the respondents into five clusters. These were labelled 'Favouring imports and large farms, 'Favouring small farms', 'Informed and empowered consumers group in favour of local farms', 'Universally positive' and 'Unconcerneď. This method was effective in identifying groups of potential target consumers. The level of support for local foods rises with increasing age, and is higher among women, the more highly educated, those that are economically active or retired, and those that consider themselves as having an average income. The results can be used to promote the demand for SFSC products in Hungary through more effective targeting of marketing activities by farmers involved in direct selling, and their organisations.

Determining the target groups of Hungarian short food supply chains based on consumer attitude and socio-demographic factors

Consistent with the trend witnessed in other European countries, in recent years there has been an increasing demand among Hungarian consumers for products purchased directly from farmers. However, no research has been published on the determination of clusters of consumers of short food supply chain (SFSC) products in Hungary. This study describes which groups of consumers are more likely to purchase such products, and their reasons for doing so. In the summer of 2013, 1,015 randomly-sampled adults were asked to complete questionnaires during face-to-face, on-street meetings with trained staff. The survey explored their willingness to support direct sales and production of local foods, their perceptions of product reliability, and their attitudes toward global supply-driven systems. As it was not possible to identify a clear structure of factors determining opinions, perceptions and attitudes directly from the results of the questionnaires, principal component analysis was performed, and K-mean cluster analysis was used to partition the respondents into five clusters. These were labelled 'Favouring imports and large farms, 'Favouring small farms', 'Informed and empowered consumers group in favour of local farms', 'Universally positive' and 'Unconcerneď. This method was effective in identifying groups of potential target consumers. The level of support for local foods rises with increasing age, and is higher among women, the more highly educated, those that are economically active or retired, and those that consider themselves as having an average income. The results can be used to promote the demand for SFSC products in Hungary through more effective targeting of marketing activities by farmers involved in direct selling, and their organisations.

LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS AND THEIR IMPORTANCE FOR RURAL AREAS

The aim of this study is to present the essence and role of local food systems in rural areas. The study has a review form and is based on secondary sources. Local food systems are an alternative to conventional systems of production, processing and distribution of food. For local food systems characteristic are short food supply chains, which enables the development of more cooperative forms of relationship between rural producers and consumers, who are looking for locally produced food with specific values of quality. The economic benefits of local food systems are manifested directly among others in increase farm income and indirectly they are visible their interaction with the whole local economy. Social benefits are manifested in social inclusion and the quality of life of local communities, while environmental benefits are a result of more sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices. Thanks to the positive impact, the role of local food systems in revitalizing rural areas is increasingly appreciated.

Sustainability impact assessments of different urban short food supply chains: examples from London, UK

AbstractGreater London has a vibrant food scene comprising of many different types of urban and peri-urban ‘short food supply chains’ (SFSCs). This paper reports on exploratory research, which used examples of SFSCs from London to build a more detailed understanding of different types of urban SFSC and their relative performance compared to each other. To do this, we undertook a participatory sustainability impact assessment (SIA) in which local food system stakeholders were asked to rank the perceived impacts of five different urban and peri-urban SFSCs compared with the current ‘mainstream’ food supply system (defined as supermarkets retailing mass-produced, standardized food products). The SFSCs ranked were: (1) urban gardening (self-supply), (2) urban gardening (commercial), (3) community supported agriculture (CSA), (4) direct sale (on-farm) and (5) direct sale (off-farm). Results from the SIA showed that CSAs were regarded as delivering the highest overall social, economic and environmental benefits, followed by urban gardening (commercial), urban gardening (self-supply) and direct sales (off-farm). The lowest overall rating was for the supply chain direct sales (on-farm). All five SFSCs were ranked highest on the social aspects of sustainability. Following the participatory SIA of perceived sustainability, we next developed a questionnaire in order to test the feasibility of measuring the specific (rather than ‘perceived’) impacts of an urban SFSC. We applied the test at a community-led local food market in South London, where we conducted face-to-face interviews with all market stallholders (18 respondents) and a random sample of consumers (51 respondents). Results from the community-led market were similar to those acquired at the SIA workshop, with greater agreement about the social benefits of the market, compared with economic and environmental impacts. The results also suggest that producers underestimated consumers’ willingness to share the risks that the producers face and we identify this as an important aspect for future research. The paper concludes with reflections on the strengths and weaknesses of the SIA methodology.

Contributions of Social Currencies to Alternative Short Food Supply Chains

Social currencies are monetary instruments that provide networks for goods and services exchange parallel to the conventional economy in which people's needs are met using resources that are available in a territory, without requiring conventional money. Alternative short food supply chains are initiatives of grassroots innovations that reduce not only physical but relational distance between consumers and producers of any type of products. This research aims to identify the contributions of social currencies to create short food supply chains in the territories. For this, a case study is exposed: the consumption groups and community supported agriculture (CSA) of RASTRU from Asturias, northwest Spain, and its social currency Copin. Through surveys and participant observation, it is evidenced how social currencies generate proximity and trust‐based relations between consumers and producers based on inclusion and fair access to food for people.