Factors of determination and classification for the alternative food supply systems

Kujáni, Katalin

Keywords: alternative food supply system, short food supply chain, producers’ network, local food

During the period of the Common Agricultural Policy between 2014 and 2020, the short food supply chains make up a distinct thematic sub-programme. The programme acquires a relevant role among the national rural development projects. The realisation of this programme will be made possible thanks to 3.4 billion in European Union subventions available to Hungary. That is why the short food supply chain as a new instrument gives the relevance to this research, the first goal of which was to systemise the recently used diverse definitions. The definitions of alternative food supply networks, localised food supply systems and short food supply chains are applied as synonyms, but significant differences can be discovered among them.
The second aim of this article was to recognise and adapt a dominant model to the national rural development programmes. The interpretation of definitions and a review of European case studies pointed out the determinant factors of models (local product, identified products, organic production, national or regional subventions, regulation, direct selling, short food supply chain, collective initiatives, innovation, professional advice and training). An average model that could be adaptable in other countries does not exist. It depends on the special endowments and possibilities of the regions as to which channels, labels or form of regulations are inaugurated. The diversity of European rural food supply systems is also shown by the results of the classification of factors. Hence three groups are distinguished: regions with well-developed direct selling systems and short food chains (France-Midi-Pyrénnées, Italy-Ambruzzo); regions which take part in the short food chains via producers’ organizations (Germany-Bavaria, Portugal-Alentejo, Spain-Andalusia); and finally regions which possess traditionally developed direct selling (Greece-Thessaly, Cyprus-Nicosia, Hungary-South Great Plan).
The localised agro-food systems have a significant rural development function apart from that of food supply. This hypothesis was underpinned by the second case studies and grouping of the factors. On the basis of these three well-distinguished local systems can be determined: relationships based on social responsibility; retail systems based on local foods; and finally horizontal linkages of producers.

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