Les systèmes agroalimentaires alternatifs. Une revue de travaux anglophones en sciences sociales

From Short Food Supply Chains to Sustainable Agriculture in Urban Food Systems: Food Democracy as a Vector of Transition

“…The advice network analysis revealed how some actors emerge as 'experts' in specific contexts and regarding specific questions [42], although they may not have been considered as skilled and/or leaders before, and may not be considered as a reference or a model thereafter: for instance, the organic farmer selling in the market appeared as a source of knowledge regarding seasonality, while farmers preferred to discuss the diversification of their production with another producer, even though they are 'conventional'. Moreover, while research into alternative food systems often focuses on consumers who are influenced and trained by moral entrepreneurs [6,58], this case study pays greater attention to farmers, who in this case are mostly conventional farmers reorienting their distribution chains. Here, the case study has relativized the pressure of (urban) consumers, which has been highlighted in the rare research into producers in alternative food systems [59]: the charter, inducing changes in production to better fulfil its criteria, has also been developed by producers themselves, who took part in the decisions about the charter as well.…”

“…However, by limiting the focus to Community-Supported Agriculture systems (CSAs), farmers' markets, or community gardens, research into alternative local food networks gave little consideration to how these initiatives may change the practices of their stakeholders, as cases often imply 'engaged' actors with responsible behaviors regarding sustainability. Moreover, the agricultural dimension of these networks remains little studied beyond general references to organic farming [6]. A more recent field of research has enlarged the scope of 'alternative' food chains by going beyond contesting direct-to-consumer channels, and analyzing the development of 'values-based supply chains' [7] as intermediate chains in which actors share a commitment to social, environmental, and/or economic values.…”

Alternative Food Networks and New Producer-Consumer Relations in France and in Brazil

“…However, a percentage of consumers still prefers to shop using short distribution channels (33% in producer markets (marché paysan); 29% in specialized shops and 19% directly from producers in their farms, the equivalent of 48% of total sales), the main reasons being health, quality, flavor and food security (AGENCE BIO, 2014). In both countries, one of the particularities of these networks is that they question some of the main tenets of the conventional system, such as homogenization, product standardization and the large number of intermediaries in trading involving long distances (DEVERRE;LAMINE, 2010). Thus, alternative networks put forward new principles for exchange such as the re-localization of food products and also uphold values and traditions and encourage new relationship models between producers and consumers.…”

Le marché comme rencontre d’activités de régulation : initiatives et innovations dans l’approvisionnement bio et local de la restauration collective

“…Il rappelle tout d'abord les enseignements de travaux récents en sociologie économique (Callon et al, 2002 ;Cochoy et Dubuisson-Quellier, 2000 ;Dobbin, 2004 ;Karpik, 1996 ;Steiner et Vatin, 2009) (Deverre et Lamine, 2010), peuvent a priori s'appliquer aux marchés que nous étudions, dont la construction est motivée par l'envie de ne plus recourir aux schémas d'approvisionnement habituels et d'organiser différemment la production, la consommation et les échanges (Morgan et Sonnino, 2008). On sait cependant que ces termes sont difficiles à manier, en particulier parce que de telles innovations-alternatives n'opèrent généralement pas de ruptures avec les systèmes agroalimentaires existants-conventionnels (Goodman, 2004).…”