Short food supply chains is a term used to identify a wide range of configurations of food production, distribution, and consumption. For example, such as farmer's markets , farmer's shops, collective farmer's shops, solidarity agriculture and joint purchase groups. More generally, a food supply chain can be defined as βshortβ when it is characterized by a short distance and / or a small number of intermediaries between producers and consumers.
The origin of the concept
Short food supply chains were originally identified as examples of farmers' resistance to modernizing the food system by developing supply chains based on global trade. [1] The resistance is that through direct sales to consumers, farmers bypass intermediaries and thus can develop their own marketing strategies, providing a wider range of goods and services. These strategies provide farmers with the opportunity to leave a large share of the added value on the farm and in the local economy. Given these characteristics, short food supply chains are increasingly reflected in agricultural and food policies. Thus, short food chains act as a driving force for changes in the food system and are used as a political tool for rural development. [2] In general, the analysis of short supply chains causes wider debate in society about βalternative and sustainable supply chains and networksβ. [3] , [4] , [5] .
Specifics of Short Supply Chains
Short food supply chains are considered the most suitable channels for small and medium farmers to deliver organic and traditional local products. In fact, direct relations between producers and consumers give them the opportunity to develop closer contacts with each other, and determine market niches. As Ilbery and Maye [3] state, β ... the key characteristic of short supply chains is that the products that reach the final consumer are delivered through a supply chain that includes values ββfilled with information regarding production methods, origin and distinctive quality Product Features β(see also Renting et al.) [6] In addition, Marsden et al. (2000) [7] . argue that "a common characteristic, however, is the emphasis on the type of relationship between producer and consumer in these supply chains, as well as the role of these relations in building values ββand meanings, and not just the type of product itself ."
Identification Criteria
In order to develop the concept of short supply chains, there are a number of criteria that can be used to define them. Short food supply chains may include aspects of geographic, social, and economic proximity. [8] Geographical proximity means physically close proximity, and is measured as the distance between producers and consumers. Social proximity is expressed as direct (or with a few intermediaries) and trusting relations between the producer and the consumer, who know each other and the product being produced, as well as solidarity between producers and consumers, their civic engagement in the local food system and their connection with local food traditions.
Economic proximity means that market exchanges occur and money rotates within a community or locality; the short food chain is owned and operated locally; It is transparent and traceable from start to finish.
Short supply chain classification
Short supply chains are classified by Renting et al. [6] as face to face, close and extended. The chains described as face-to-face are characterized by regular meetings between producers and consumers (as in the case of farmers' markets). In short food supply chains built at close distances , manufacturers do not necessarily control the distribution of products (as in the case of consumer cooperatives). In extended short food supply chains, where geographic distances between producers and consumers can be large, consumers know the manufacturers and the features of the products (as is the case with fair trade and products with a protected denomination of origin).
Short supply chains in government regulations
An action plan developed in 2009 by the French Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry was aimed at supporting the development of short food supply chains. According to this plan , short supply chains are determined based on the number of actors involved. Namely: short supply chains are considered β deliveries of agricultural products through direct or indirect (one intermediary) sales β.
However, discussions are ongoing in the French Senate and at the regional level that the existence of short chains should not be reduced to the number of intermediaries. Geographic distance should also be considered. Is it possible to consider the purchase of grapes directly from the farmer as a short chain, with its further transportation 1000 km to the planting site?
Following the national action plan (in some cases, even before it), regional plans for the development of short food supply chains were developed. Regional action plans relate to the above definition, but they are also complemented or refined at the local level. For example, in the Aquitaine region, the local government adds proximity or a reduction in the geographical distance between producers and consumers. (link) The French law on the modernization of agriculture and fisheries, updated in 2010 (No. 2010-874), among many other actions and support by the state, also mentions βthe development of short supply chains and the promotion of geographical proximity between producers and processors β.
Short Supply Chain Examples
Farmers' markets are retail locations for farmers who sell food to consumers. Solidarity farming is a network or association of people who have committed to supporting one or more local farms and sharing the risks and benefits of co-production of food. Joint procurement groups are networks created at the initiative of Italian consumers that contact farmers to organize alternative food supply systems. Peasant Support Associations (inaccessible link) are French community initiatives that support farmers and organic agriculture through direct links between farmers and consumers.
Short Supply Chain Research Projects
GLAMUR - Global and local food system assessments: a multilateral approach based on performance assessment.
FOODLINKS - Brokerage of knowledge, in order to promote the sustainable consumption of food and products, brings together scientists, politicians and civil society organizations.
SUS-CHAINS - Sustainable Agriculture Marketing: An Analysis of the Potential Role of New Food Supply Chains for Sustainable Rural Development.
PUREFOOD - training of researchers in the field of socio-economic and socio-spatial dynamics of urban, suburban and regional food supply chains.
Literature
- β Van Der Ploeg, Jan Douwe, Henk Renting, Gianluca Brunori, Karlheinz Knickel, Joe Mannion, Terry Marsden, and others, "Rural Development: From Practices and Policies Towards Theory," Sociologia Ruralis, 40 (2000), 391β408 < doi: 10.1111 / 1467-9523.00156>
- β Conference "Local agriculture and short food supply chains" (Brussels, 04/20/2012) - Agriculture and rural development . Ec.europa.eu. Date of treatment October 23, 2012.
- β 1 2 Ilbery, B., and D. Maye. 2005. "Alternative (shorter) food supply chains and specialist livestock products in the Scottish- English borders." Environment and planning A 37 (5): 823-844.
- β Goodman, D., and M. Goodman. 2008. "Alternative food networks". International encyclopedia of human geography, pp. (Oxford: Elsevier).
- β Roep, D., and H. Wiskerke. 2006. Nourishing networks: fourteen lessons about creating sustainable food supply chains. Reed Business Information, Wageningen University.
- β 1 2 Renting H., Marsden T., and Banks J. (2003) Understanding alternative food networks: exploring the role of short food supply chains in rural development. Environment and Planning A 2003, volume 35, pages 393-411
- β Marsden, T., J. Banks, and G. Bristow. 2000. "Food supply chain approaches: exploring their role in rural development." Sociologia ruralis 40 (4): 424-438.
- β Kebir, L. and Torre A. (2012) Geographical proximity and new short food supply chains. In: Lazzeretti, Luciana (ed.) 2012. Creative Industries and Innovation in Europe: Concepts, Measures and Comparative Case Studies. Routledge