scholarly journals Are Short Food Supply Chains More Environmentally Sustainable than Long Chains? A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the Eco-Efficiency of Food Chains in Selected EU Countries

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 4853
Author(s):  
Edward Majewski ◽  
Anna Komerska ◽  
Jerzy Kwiatkowski ◽  
Agata Malak-Rawlikowska ◽  
Adam Wąs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Large Variability ◽  
Food Supply Chains ◽  
Short Food Supply Chains ◽  
Efficiency Indicators

Improving the eco-efficiency of food systems is one of the major global challenges faced by the modern world. Short food supply chains (SFSCs) are commonly regarded to be less harmful to the environment, among various reasons, due to their organizational distribution and thus the shortened physical distance between primary producers and final consumers. In this paper, we empirically test this hypothesis, by assessing and comparing the environmental impacts of short and long food supply chains. Based on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach, we calculate eco-efficiency indicators for nine types of food distribution chains. The analysis is performed on a sample of 428 short and long food supply chains from six European countries. Our results indicate that, on average, long food supply chains may generate less negative environmental impacts than short chains (in terms of fossil fuel energy consumption, pollution, and GHG emissions) per kg of a given product. The values of eco-efficiency indicators display a large variability across analyzed chains, and especially across different types of SFSCs. The analysis shows that the environmental impacts of the food distribution process are not only determined by the geographical distance between producer and consumer, but depend on numerous factors, including the supply chain infrastructure.

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

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (10) ◽  
pp. 2317-2333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chrysanthi Charatsari ◽  
Fotis Kitsios ◽  
Amalia Stafyla ◽  
Dimitrios Aidonis ◽  
Evagelos Lioutas
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Distribution Networks ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Supply Chains ◽  
Short Food Supply Chains

Purpose Despite 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/approach Using 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. Findings Results 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/value To 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.

scholarly journals Solutions for More Sustainable Distribution in the Short Food Supply Chains

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 3481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Todorovic ◽  
Marinko Maslaric ◽  
Sanja Bojic ◽  
Maja Jokic ◽  
Dejan Mircetic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Food Supply Chains ◽  
Previous Part ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Short Food Supply Chains

The largest part of food sales is managed by large food supply chains. However, an alternative system of food distribution focuses on locally produced and sold food that has gotten great attention in the last two decades. The challenges of those new systems, called short food supply chains (SFSC), represent tough market competitions, high distribution and logistics costs, small shipment sizes and so forth. Hence, the SFSC requires corresponding solutions in food distribution that are aligned with the contemporary logistics trends, sustainability and aspects of the new digital era. Using specially developed methodology, based on two different conceptual models, we showed how the SFSC could be designed from the aspects of innovative logistics modes and contemporary information and communication technologies, with the final aim to outline and evaluate different food distribution scenarios towards greater sustainability. The first conceptual model was aimed at the creation of innovative forms of SFSC, in which business process modelling was used in order to design and explore the given situation more thoroughly. For the purposes of conducting a comparative assessment of the distribution models developed in the previous part, the second conceptual model is developed. By using a qualitative approach, this is how the major advantages and challenges of practical implementations in creating sustainable distribution solutions are stated for each scenario.

A Survey of the Life Cycle Assessment of Food Supply Chains

2020 ◽  
pp. 125506
Author(s):  
Petra Vidergar ◽  
Matjaž Perc ◽  
Rebeka Kovačič Lukman
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Food Supply Chains

scholarly journals The Potential Role of Short Food Supply Chains in Strengthening Periurban Agriculture in Spain: The Cases of Madrid and Barcelona

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 2080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Yacamán Ochoa ◽  
Alberto Matarán ◽  
Rafael Mata Olmo ◽  
Jose López ◽  
Rafael Fuentes-Guerra
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Food System ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Food Supply Chains ◽  
Periurban Agriculture ◽  
Short Food Supply Chains

Periurban agriculture is being hit by the effects of the globalized food system, as well as by concrete aspects of urban sprawl. Nonetheless, proximity to the main markets provides an opportunity to sustain agriculture in highly urbanized areas. In this sense, an increasing number of local initiatives is arising within the context of Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs). The economic impact of these initiatives, however, is limited by problems and inefficiencies that hinder their capacity to scale up. The present paper sets forth the results of a research project developed in Madrid and Cataluña. The study is based upon documentary and empirical research addressing the main problems periurban farmers are facing in relation to local food distribution. Among other factors, these refer to regulatory barriers, logistics, competition and dealing with consumers’ preferences. We conducted a questionnaire with a representative group of farmers from each region in three towns presenting different demographic sizes along with another questionnaire extended to the owners of small grocery stores, who play a vital role in the supply of fresh food in these municipalities. Our research demonstrates that most of the problems arising when dealing with SFSCS can be solved by introducing new forms of cooperation among the different agents of the food chain.

Short food supply chains: the link between participation and farmers' competencies

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 643-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chrysanthi Charatsari ◽  
Fotis Kitsios ◽  
Evagelos D. Lioutas
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Distribution Networks ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Citizenship Behavior ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Ample Evidence ◽  
Food Supply Chains ◽  
Short Food Supply Chains

AbstractResearch on short food supply chains (SFSCs) has experienced a remarkable growth during recent years, offering ample evidence that the creation of such alternative food distribution networks can bring multiple benefits to both farmers and consumers. Nevertheless, farmers' engagement in SFSCs is still limited in many countries. Two studies designed to illustrate the role of competencies in the development of SFSCs are reported in this paper. The first one assessed the influence of farmers' self-perceived competencies on their willingness to participate in SFSCs. The second examined whether the engagement in SFSCs affects the levels of participants' competency needs. Study 1 revealed that willingness to participate in SFSCs is affected by the levels of farmers' competencies on issues pertaining to management, entrepreneurship, marketing, networking and cooperation. Although other factors such as farmers' citizenship behavior, their environmental concern and the perception that engagement in SFSCs can increase farm income are also associated with this willingness, self-perceived competencies represent the most important set of predictors. Study 2 uncovered that participation in SFSCs increases farmers' needs in all the above-mentioned categories of competencies. Taken together, these results indicate that farmers' competencies significantly affect their involvement in SFSCs, and that engagement in SFSCs augments competency needs, thus highlighting the importance of creating spaces that help farmers develop and exploit new capabilities.

scholarly journals Key factors of carbon footprint in the UK food supply chains: a new perspective of life cycle assessment

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 945-970
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Ferguson Aikins ◽  
Usha Ramanathan
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Food Supply Chain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Supply Chains ◽  
The Uk

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically identify key factors of UK food supply chains (SCs) that significantly contribute to CO2 emissions (CO2e) taking into account the life cycle assessment (LCA). The UK food supply chain includes imports from other countries.Design/methodology/approachThis research develops a conceptual framework from extant literature. Secondary data obtained from ONS and FAOSTAT covering from 1990 to 2014 are analysed using Multilinear Regression (MLR) and Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) to identify the factors relating to CO2 emissions significance, and the efficient contributions that are being made to their reduction in the UK food supply chains.FindingsThe study results suggest that Transportation and Sales/Distribution are the two key factors of CO2 emissions in UK food supply chains. This is confirmed by two multivariate methods, MLR and SFA. MLR results show that transportation increases UK CO2 emissions by 10 tonnes of CO2 emissions from one tonne of fruits and vegetables imports from overseas to the UK Sales and Distribution reduces the UK CO2 emissions by 1.3 tonnes of CO2 emissions due to improved, technological operation activities in the UK. In addition, the SFA results confirm that the key factors are sufficient to predict an increase or decrease in CO2 emissions in the UK food supply chains.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has focused on the LCA of the UK food supply chain from limited data. Future studies should consider Sustainability Impact Assessment of the UK food supply chain, identifying the social, economic, regulatory and environmental impacts of the food supply chain using a re-defined LCA (all-inclusive assessment) tool.Practical implicationsThis research suggests that food supply chain professionals should improve efficiency, e.g. the use of solar energy and biogas, and also integrate low-carbon policies and practices in food supply chain operations. Furthermore, governments should encourage policies such as mobility management programmes, urban redevelopment and privatisation to enhance better transportation systems and infrastructure to continuously reduce CO2e from the food trade.Originality/valueAlthough logistics play a major role in CO2 emissions, all logistics CO2 emissions for other countries are not included in the ONS data. This research reveals some important insights into the UK food supply chains. Logistics and other food supply chain processes of importing countries significantly contribute to CO2 emissions which are yet to be considered in the UK food SCs.

scholarly journals Kurze Ketten im Lebensmittelbereich

Standort ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gesine Tuitjer
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Food Supply Chains ◽  
Short Food Supply Chains

ZusammenfassungShort Food Supply Chains (SFSC), also kurze Wertschöpfungsketten im Lebensmittelbereich, sind ein verbreiteter Ansatz in der Regionalentwicklung – im ländlichen wie auch im städtischen Kontext. Aufgrund der Breite des Konzeptes sind empirische Belege für die regionalen Auswirkungen von kurzen Ketten jedoch uneindeutig und ihrem konkreten Aufbau stehen teilweise große Herausforderungen gegenüber. Im vorliegenden Text werden Direktvermarktung, Regionalvermarktungsinitiativen und regionalisierte vertikale Wertschöpfungsketten behandelt. Der Text fasst Ergebnisse einzelner Fallstudien zusammen, die zwischen 2015 und 2019 in 6 ländlichen Kreisen durchgeführt wurden. Im Text werden Herausforderungen für die Entwicklung dieser kurzen Ketten skizziert und mögliche Chancen aufgezeigt. Der Ausbau von alternativen Vermarktungswegen kann beispielsweise durch Infrastruktur im Bereich der Lagerung und Logistik unterstützt werden. Ein weiteres zentrales Ergebnis stellt die Notwendigkeit von Netzwerkvermittlern dar, die Kooperationen zwischen Produzenten innerhalb einer Region entlang vertikaler Wertschöpfungsketten begleiten bzw. initiieren.

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