Short Food Supply Chains Research Articles

Measuring Short Food Supply Chain Sustainability: A Selection of Attributes and Indicators through a Qualitative Approach

Short food supply chains (SFSCs) are one of the most direct approaches to more directly connecting consumers with producers. The scaling-up of SFSCs is often challenged by critical issues which can be overcome with identification of the most sustainable, replicable schemes. This paper presents the results of a participatory analysis conducted within the agroBRIDGES H2020 project, with the aim of defining a list of economic, social, and environmental attributes and indicators to assess the sustainability of SFSCs and set up a decision-making tool to support producers in self-assessing their sustainability level and choosing the most appropriate business model (BM) from those identified within the project. The proposed framework was based on a literature review and validated using co-creation exercises (Delphi rounds and focus groups) with relevant European stakeholders. A final set of 47 indicators was identified, and their potential for use in assessing the sustainability level of various BMs was also validated. Early results highlighted three main issues: indicator calculation feasibility, business model categorization, and the simplicity of the framework for sustainability self-assessment. Some recommendations are made, including the importance of using a participatory process in building an evaluation framework on SFSC sustainability and the necessity of its adaptation to territorial contexts and needs.

Can Farmers Earn Money by Farming in Or Near Cities?

As you probably know, most farms are found in rural areas, far away from big cities. However, when food is grown near cities, it can make cities more sustainable and prepared for the future. Moreover, it even offers business options for farmers in the outskirts of the cities as well as for newcomers and start-ups producing food in the city centers. Short food-supply chains and well-known origin are only some of the benefits. New technologies like aquaponics can go hand in hand with traditional farms. Both complement each other and enhance local food production. Nevertheless, local food production needs to be economically viable to be sustainable and prosper in the end. This raises the questions: Is it possible to run a successful and sustainable farm near—or even within—a city?

Does short food supply chain participation improve farm economic performance? A meta‐analysis

AbstractMany researchers, policy makers, and food activists view Short Food Supply Chains (SFSC) as attractive levers for improving farm income and the sustainability of farming systems. However, the empirical evidence documenting the association between SFSC participation and farm economic performance has been mixed. In this study, through a meta‐analysis using a logistic regression, we identify key factors to explain differences between studies that find better economic performance in SFSC and those that do not. Our meta‐analysis consists of 48 studies published in English and French from 2000 to 2022 that examine the economic performance of farms engaged in SFSC. Based on far more empirical evidence than previous reviews, we find that the relationship between SFSC participation and farmer income remains ambiguous. More specifically the findings indicate that the reported effect of SFSC on a farm economic performance varies depending on location and the indicator used to capture the economic performance of farms. Studies conducted in Europe are more likely to report higher farmer income as are studies that use profit satisfaction metrics rather than measures of gross or net income. We also emphasize the need to interpret the reported results cautiously because few are based on causal inference methods. Furthermore, the very few studies that account for selection bias often do so with inadequate corrections.

Farm-to-School Programs in Portuguese Low-Density Rural Areas: How to Engage Farmers

Abstract Farm to School (FTS) programs is a type of Short Food Supply Chain (SFSC) that generate new economic opportunities for farmers while enhancing communities’ food security strategies, by improving the access to a safe, nutritious, and culturally acceptable diet, through a sustainable food system that maximizes self-reliance and social justice. However, the success of FTS is highly dependent on regional characteristics, and its implementation must deal with diverse views and opposing interests. In particular, farmers' willingness to engage in FTS may be affected by the need to adapt their practices to the demand of school canteens. The estimate of a logistic model is used in this study to analyse the factors that impact farmers' motivation to participate in FTS in low-density areas of Portugal, showing that market-oriented vegetable and fruit producers, living further away from the city are more likely to join FTS.

Back to Locality? Demand Potential Analysis for Short Food Supply Chains.

The main purpose of the article is an attempt to estimate the demand for products traded within short food supply chains in Poland. The survey was conducted in autumn 2021 in the Kamienna Góra county, where the first business incubator in Poland, addressed to farmers and food producers, initiated and supported by the local government, is located. The Computer-Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) method constituted the basis for the process of collecting research material. The channel for reaching respondents was the LIBRUS application and local social media. Responses were mainly given by women, people with incomes in the range of PLN 1000-3000 per person, those aged 30-50, and those with a university education. The research results showed a high level of potential demand for local agri-food products, which should encourage farmers to switch from long to short supply chain models. The persisting low awareness regarding the existence of alternative distribution networks for local products, which primarily requires increased activities in the field of territorial marketing that promote local agri-food products among the residents of municipalities constitutes, from the perspective of consumers, a barrier to the development of short food supply chains.

Sustainable production and distribution practices in Atlantic Canadian short food supply chains: Explorative study

IntroductionHow food is produced, processed, distributed, and consumed significantly impacts the sustainability of food supply chains. Short food supply chains (SFSCs) have been promoted as an alternative approach to offer sustainable solutions. However, empirical studies provide mixed evidence, and the findings greatly vary based on context. This study explores the social, economic, and environmental sustainability practices in Atlantic Canada's SFSCs from the perspective of farm businesses (producers).MethodsA semi-structured survey was conducted among 64 farmers/producers who participated in Atlantic Canadian SFSCs. Participants were asked what channel they used to sell their products and how far this location is in comparison to the production location if sold to an intermediary, how they believe they could better to improve the sustainability of their production methods, what barriers stood in their way of implementation, and how supply chain supporters could help achieve their sustainability goals.ResultsThe findings show that most farm businesses linked to SFCSs have applied ecologically sound production methods such as organic farming, IPM, or other sustainable practices, including regenerative agriculture and no-till farming. Over two-thirds of farm businesses applied sustainable practices such as pasture rotations, green fertilizers, low-carbon couriers, locally sourced inputs, and compostable or recyclable packaging materials. Farm businesses in the Atlantic Provinces highly value the social sustainability of SFSCs, followed by economic and environmental sustainability. Most farm businesses linked to SFSCs were robust to supply- and demand-side shocks, registered a low number of layoffs and fast recovery of operations, and increased their profits during COVID-19 compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. Yet, several barriers remain, the most important ones being high capital costs and longer payback periods. Other barriers include inconsistent inter-provincial trading restrictions, lack of qualified workers and shrinking agricultural land base.DiscussionSFSCs in Atlantic Canadian SFSCs have implemented several sustainable practices in their production and distribution systems. Most of the farm businesses linked to SFSCs are small, are focused on specific product groups, target small towns or rural areas, and rely on direct-on farm sales to individual customers, and thus can play a crucial role by complementing longer food supply chains. By taking SFSCs in Atlantic Provinces as a case, this study expands our understanding of recent efforts and challenges local producers face to adopt sustainable practices in their production and distribution systems.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Short Supply Chains in the Agri-Food Sector

Short supply chains have recently gained increased attention because of the turbulence in the global environment caused by exogenous influences that create unstable and uncertain conditions. The emergence of short supply chains is of particular importance for sustainable development at large, but also for the viability of vulnerable communities and areas (e.g., remote and isolated, and islands). This paper aims to explore the area of short supply chains focusing on the agri-food sector from a bibliometric standpoint. Towards this end, journal articles listed in the Scopus database were analyzed using the software VOSviewer. We present a broad overview, recent developments, and fundamental ideas in the realm of short food supply chains, which may aid in our comprehension and future research on this topic.

A feasibility analysis on adopting electric vehicles in the short food supply chain based on GHG emissions and economic costs estimations

The transition toward electric mobility is recognised as a powerful contributor to reaching the goal of reducing environmental pressure from the transport sector minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. Over recent years several studies analysed the economic convenience of adopting electric vehicles as well as its impact on greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. However, very few studies evaluated both economic cost and environmental emissions in a real-life environment. This study aimed to investigate the economic costs of battery electric vehicle adoption in the short food supply chain and its impact on the environment in terms of greenhouse gas emissions when compared to corresponding petrol-powered vehicles. It also aimed to examine the influence of policy measures on this transition process. To achieve these objectives, data were obtained from market research and the testing phase of a project co-funded by the European Interreg Med Programme. Based on collected data, economic cost and greenhouse gas emission of both battery electric vehicle and internal combustion engine vehicle use were determined. The results emphasise that when compared to corresponding petrol-powered vehicles, the economic convenience of electric vehicles as well as their positive impact on greenhouse gas emissions is evident after a finite distance is covered, which grows thereafter. Simulated scenarios confirm the importance of the incentives for vehicle acquisition promoted by governments to reduce their economic cost, whilst also confirming the influence that an energy mix consisting of renewable energy sources could have on achieving the environmental benefits of adopting electric vehicles over a shorter period and distance. In light of these results, some recommendations can be provided to promote the spread of battery electric vehicles in the short food supply chain. In detail, financial support is needed to both purchase battery electric vehicles and support projects to obtain lower-cost batteries. At the same time, a great effort should be made by policymakers to create an efficient network of recharging infrastructures also powered by alternative energies to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Improving the design of local short food supply chains: Farmers’ views in Wallonia, Belgium

While consumers' preferences and willingness to pay for local food have been widely explored, farmers' choice of marketing channels in high-income countries has received far less attention. This study identifies important factors affecting fresh vegetable farmers’ decisions to participate in local short food supply chains in Wallonia, Belgium. We use quantitative data from a farmer survey comprising a discrete choice experiment complemented by qualitative data to conduct our research. We show that farmers are not eager to participate in newly established short food supply chains, especially if it involves selling large shares of their yield through these channels. Farmers are interested in internal certification systems with label, such as Participatory Guarantee Systems, and direct-to-consumer selling on-farm. Commitment from the buyer before planting is highly valued, even more than a high selling price. Preference heterogeneity is linked to farm size and current organic certification status. Our findings allow to evaluate the relevance and improve the design of local food initiatives, including newly established short food supply chains and certification systems.

Do Farmers Participating in Short Food Supply Chains Use Less Pesticides? Evidence from France

Do Farmers Participating in Short Food Supply Chains Use Less Pesticides? Evidence from France

Consumers’ purchase behavior in short food supply chains using social commerce in Indonesia

Short food supply chain (SFSC) practice using social commerce is still in its infancy; this is also true in Indonesia. Many studies on the SFSC that uses social commerce have been carried out in developed countries; however, there is only limited research on this subject in developing countries. In this study, factors that explain purchase behavior toward social commerce SFSCs in Indonesia are explored by considering information-seeking variables as components of knowledge formation and the perceived economic and social sustainability of SFSCs as advantages over long food supply chains. Our conceptual framework was developed from the theory of planned behavior and alphabet theory, with the addition of a perceived SFSC sustainability variable. Data were collected from consumers who purchase agricultural produce from social commerce SFSCs and members of the respective SFSC chat groups. Data analysis was conducted using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results reveal that perceived SFSC sustainability is influenced by product knowledge, which in turn has a positive association with information-seeking behavior. Perceived SFSC sustainability influences attitude and, subsequently, influences purchase intention. Consumers who have strong purchase intention are likely to purchase; subjective norm does not affect purchase intention for consumers who have received sufficient information from social media. Perceived behavioral control influences purchase intention but not behavior because purchasing agricultural produce is a regular activity. This research provides a deep understanding of consumer behavior toward SFSCs that use social commerce. Based on the factors identified as influencing purchase behavior, sellers can provide information through social media to facilitate consumers’ purchasing decisions.

Sustainability assessment of Territorial Short Food Supply Chains versus Large‐Scale Food Distribution: The case of Colombia and Spain

Assessing, designing and implementing more sustainable agri-food systems has become a high priority in scientific research and political agendas worldwide. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict is highlighting the fragility of globalised food distribution systems, and there is a need to focus on alternatives. This manuscript assesses the sustainability of two largely opposing marketing alternatives, namely Territorial Short Food Supply Chains (TSFSCs) and Large-Scale Food Distribution (LSFD). Specifically, the cases of Bogota (Colombia) and Cordoba (Spain) are analysed, where the development of TSFSCs has very significant in recent years but which are of a very different nature. For this purpose, a multi-criteria model based on the Analytic Network Process (ANP) methodology has been developed, considering multiple economic, social and environmental criteria. The model has been evaluated by four interest groups. The results show that the social sub-criterion – distribution of added value – is highly prioritised, and that the TSFSCs are the most sustainable alternatives globally in both cities. In Bogota, direct sales (farmers market) are prioritised, whilst in Cordoba, chain with a local retail (specialised shops). The contribution of TSFSCs to ecosystem services, equity, territorial cohesion and the revitalisation of the economy is highlighted. By interest groups, civil society, academia and public administration prioritise TSFSCs. However, the market players in Cordoba prioritise LSFD with national product. The results indicate that TSFSCs have the potential to contribute to the consolidation of sustainable and resilient food systems.

Local food policies from a city-region approach: Fostering the SFSCs in the Region of Madrid

Local scale is increasingly taking the lead in the food system transition to sustainability with a focus on city-region based food provision. Short food supply chains (SFSCs) are key in this approach. This paper has an explorative rationale to better understand the role of the local and regional policies fostering SFSCs. This paper focuses on SFSCs; specifically, on barriers, and measures to deal with these barriers, from the local government's point of view. It considers why municipal measures to support SFSCs could be enhanced from the city-region food-systems (CRFS) approach, particularly, this study elaborates on the CRFS approach as a framework to tackle barriers and leverage potential solutions for municipalities to foster SFSCs. A mapping of SFSC public local initiatives in the Region of Madrid along with 35 semi-structured interviews to council members were conducted. Municipalities face, among others, issues related to the limited production, budget, and demand constraints. Regional legislation or improving the access to information about measures to support SFSCs, along with higher inter-municipal and cross-scale collaboration, are some actions that imply a territorial approach. The results give insights of how the CRFS approach has a great potential to address the necessities and barriers of municipal food policies.

SPECIAL MARKETS FOR LOCAL AGRO FOOD PRODUCTS

In recent years, the European Union's rural policies have focused on balanced rural development and, in particular, significant support for less-favored areas. This can be achieved through diversification strategies that focus on supporting and promoting local products in each region. The aim is to create synergies between local producers and various distributors to create and increase added value in the final local product. The importance of product quality has created a global trend in nutrition by helping to create a highly competitive food market. The quality and place of production aspect is a unique asset for maintaining global competitiveness. Consumers, in recent years, are increasingly interested in the origin of food not only for health reasons but also for an internal need to satisfy the lack of "original" and "traditional" flavors and flavors of their daily lives (Theodossiou, Goulas, Duquenne, 2017) and secondarily to support the protection of the environment and the conservation of biodiversity at the place of production.The global trend that has prevailed around the standardization of agricultural products has created an alternative trend of valuing and consuming typical products of an area. In these typical products, social participation and their quality are considered to enhance economic activity and can be a competitive advantage in domestic and international markets (Goodman 2003; Bowen & Mutersbaugh, 2014).Concerns about the environmental, economic, social and health risks inherent in global food systems have attracted both public and scientific attention to sustainability and food security. In this way, it is considered that sustainable development of food systems will be achieved. Thus, in recent decades, an increasing number of people in high-income countries, mainly, have turned to "alternative food networks".In the present research paper an attempt to study and present the categories of markets created by the global tendency of citizens to be interested in the origin and place of production of the food they consume will be reviewed in the existing literature. Mainly, the inhabitants of the big urban centers show a special interest in the way and the place of production of their food. Thus, the creation of various citizen movements was the expected development of this trend. In fact, according to Hinrichs (2000), specific citizen movements, such as Socially Supported Agriculture and Community-Based Agricultural Production have conquered many countries in Europe, America and Asia. However, in addition to these, the international literature mentions other markets of agricultural products, such as urban agriculture, specific and specialized delicatessens on agro - products, as well as short food supply chains.

Eliciting University Students’ Attitudes towards Farmers’ Markets: The Hungarian Case

Short food supply chains are increasingly investigated areas of international studies. One of its defining sales channels is the farmers’ market, the number of which has grown substantially in Hungary in recent years. Many studies analyze the consumers of farmers’ markets worldwide, but only a few examine the relationship of university students with farmers’ markets. Although university students are not typical customers of farmers’ markets, it is essential to investigate their habits since they are the consumers of the future. Based on a questionnaire survey among Hungarian university students (n = 262), the price, convenience, selection, and quality aspects of the products dominate. We also identified clusters based on food purchasing criteria: (1) price-sensitive consumers, (2) health-conscious consumers, and (3) brand-loyal consumers. The main obstacle for non-regular buyers is the distance from farmers’ markets, which can be solved by organizing farmers’ markets on university campuses. 95% of the sample is open to this, so it would be worthwhile to conduct independent research for each university and put the positive results into practice.

Evaluation of Short Food Supply Chains in a rural area

One of the priorities for rural development is the establishment of Short Food Supply Chains which means reducing distance between local producers and local consumers and prioritizing local markets. In our work, we aimed at mapping the place of local producers within the distribution channels and evaluating local producer groups. We were looking at what tender opportunities producers are utilizing that can directly or indirectly link them to the Short Food Chain Program. To this end, we have set up several hypotheses. Firstly, we assumed that the change in consumer habits greatly influences producer's supply. Second, we investigated whether producers choose the sales channel where they can sell at the highest price or where the most products can be sold. Our hypothesis was also that more and more of the local producers are also involved in product processing. The research was conducted via questionnaires, during which 265 forms were filled out at traditional markets and also at cafeterias and restaurants.

Can new healthy luxury food products accelerate short food supply chain formation via social media marketing in high-income countries?

Social media marketing is a promising tool for successful product placement of new healthy luxury food products, a subcategory of superfoods. Despite its growing popularity, no studies have investigated how social media marketing affects consumers' quality perception process for such superfoods and whether this provides opportunities for farmers to gain a competitive advantage in direct marketing channels. Therefore, we integrate media richness theory into the food quality guidance model, compile a data set of 697 German fruit consumers from May to June 2020, and analyze this sample via partial least square analysis. Results show that social media marketing is a viable tool for new healthy luxury food products if media content is highly experience providing. Furthermore, it offers opportunities for the formation of shorter food supply chains as farmers could, through the provision of engaging social media marketing content, sell new healthy luxury food products directly to the final consumer. This research provides implications to farmers, retailers and policy makers to exploit the social media marketing potential of new healthy luxury food products.

Towards understanding SFSC and the pillars of its conceptualisation: Building upon the Community of Practice approach

Short Food Supply Chains (SFSC) has drawn scholarly attention for its innovative features, such as the emergence of new associational forms, proximal relations and new quality conventions. A better understanding of SFSC is attained when looking at it as alternative food networks structured around organizational relationships. Aiming toward a comprehensive conceptualization of SFSC, this paper presents the findings of a transnational empirical investigation of different cases in a search of their central and most typical features. Building upon the Community of Practice (CoP) concept, SFSC are conceptualized as co-creative processes and as constructed realities with their traits being shaped by the interaction of participating multiple-actors. The sample of this study involves nine CoPs which are located in different parts of Europe and which were studied through open space discussions (World Café) with the participation of the various actors involved in the chain from production to consumption, services, research and policy areas. The identification of the most typical and ubiquitous attributes of SFSC as they appear across different contexts is based on an exploratory analysis which defines the main frames of SFSC and identifies on their basis the pillars of the conceptualization of SFSC. These pillars are sharing, authenticity and sustainability, the first one referring to the relational aspect, the second referring to the commercialization process and the third relating to the rationale or underlying logic of SFSC. The identified pillars signify their competitive advantage because SFSC develop as dynamic alternative networks to conventional, large-scale food systems. It is envisaged that the suggested conceptualization of SFSC would contribute to a better understanding of SFSC and foster future research in this field.

Intermediate short food supply chains: a systematic review

PurposeIntermediate short food supply chains (SFSC) have been presented as a possible solution to unsustainable global food supply chains. There is currently a knowledge gap about intermediate SFSC. Thus, this review synthesizes the available literature to identify prominent themes and their main considerations.Design/methodology/approachThis research is based on a systematic literature review including peer-reviewed journal articles until December 2021. Inductive data coding resulted in the identification of four themes related to intermediate SFSC.FindingsThe identified themes illustrate the complex landscape intermediate SFSCs operate in and focus on the key relationships within these supply chains. The established relationships have implications for the governance of intermediate SFSCs. The organization of intermediate SFSCs affects numerous sustainability indicators.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should focus on the position intermediate SFSCs have in food systems and the roles intermediaries have in intermediate SFSCs. There is furthermore an opportunity for researchers to investigate different types of intermediaries and explore the factors influencing them.Originality/valueCreating sustainable food supply chains is one of the major societal challenges of today. The current state of the art suggests that intermediate SFSCs could play an important role in achieving this. So far, this area is underdeveloped and this review highlights knowledge gaps in the literature and suggestions for a future research agenda are proposed.

Scoping Challenges and Opportunities Presented by COVID-19 for the Development of Sustainable Short Food Supply Chains

Over the past decades, short food supply chains attracted government and public support owing to their potential to mitigate some of the sustainability issues associated with the conventional globalized food supply system. The recent event of the coronavirus disease pandemic placed unprecedented pressure on food supply systems worldwide, and it constitutes a unique opportunity to evaluate the performance of food chains. Through a scoping review of the academic literature, this study provides a critical assessment of the implications of the pandemic on short food supply chains in multiple economies. Following the guidelines outlined in the PRISMA-ScR framework, the SCOPUS and ISI Web of Science databases were searched for the academic literature on the topic. The results of the review indicate that, besides the direct effects of the pandemic, the indirect effects resulting from public policies implemented to contain the spread of the virus affected all relevant dimensions of sustainability. Moreover, the consequences of the pandemic were more disruptive in the short food chains of low-income countries than in those of high-income countries. The main challenges and opportunities for the sustainable development of short food supply chains are identified, and recommendations for future research are outlined.