Producers’ and Consumers’ Perception of the Sustainability of Short Food Supply Chains: The Case of Parmigiano Reggiano PDO

Abstract

Recent literature has highlighted the importance of testing the sustainability performances of supply chains. Nevertheless, this field of research is still in its early stages, in particular with reference to short food supply chains (SFSCs). This research analyzed producers’ and consumers’ perception of the economic, social and environmental sustainability of two SFSCs of a specific quality of cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano PDO) placed in two different contexts: the first is a rural area in the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park mountains and the second is a peri-urban area in Parma surroundings, both in Italy. The case study also analyzed the carbon emissions of shopping for Parmigiano Reggiano at dairy shops. Qualitative and quantitative methodologies were employed to achieve the aims of the present study. For producers in both areas, the SFSC is a successful strategy to sell a part of their output in their own outlets, gain reputation, reduce costs and at the same time increase their levels of self-esteem. Product quality is the biggest factor attracting consumers to the outlet; moreover, it is associated with trust in the producers and the idea of combining “leisure with pleasure”. However, the environmental impact of the consumers’ purchase activities is a drawback.

Equity, Health, and Sustainability with PROVE: The Evaluation of a Portuguese Program for a Short Distance Supply Chain of Fruits and Vegetables

“…Contrary to some perceptions and policy discourses, locally produced food does not always represent the most environmentally friendly option and close empirical assessments are correspondingly necessary (e.g., [7,8]). Although there is increasing interest in short food supply chains in policy and research domains, most studies adopt a descriptive case study approach, with only a few studies evaluating the effects of the food supply chain on farmer and consumer perceptions, behaviors or the circumstances with experimental or quasi-experimental designs [4,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. More comparative studies are needed to estimate the effects of such initiatives, but there are many technical difficulties in assessing the effects of ongoing practices and robust evaluation studies are too costly in terms of time and resources.…”

“…In the literature reviewed, we found that articles focused mostly on assessments of localized programs such as farmers' markets, cooperatives or selling schemes [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. These publications tend to describe the initiatives and address impacts based on the perceptions of the experience of their users, collected by interviews and surveys.…”

“…From the perspective of farmers, these studies highlight the role of these supply chains in fostering economic benefits, for example by ensuring access to new markets, opportunities to cut costs, and optimize the farming business related transport and logistics [4,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. By securing the contexts of collective influence, programs promoting short food supply chains emerge as valuable strategies for enhancing the empowerment of farmers, increasing their capabilities for collective influence and decision-making in their farming activities (e.g., [11,13,22,23]). For example, Schimdt and collaborators [15] reported how a community-supported agriculture program in Vermont benefits farmers by increasing access to new individual and institutional consumers, such as businesses, schools, and restaurants, enabling them to increase sales.…”

“…Kingu and Ndiege [11] reported the experiences of two dairy co-operatives from the Hai District in Kilimanjaro in optimizing farming and commercial strategies and thereby economically empowering small-scale farmers. Mancini and collaborators [13] also focused on dairy farmers but from the Parmigiano region in Italy, and reported on the perceived positive social, environmental, and economic impacts. The study points out how the program especially benefited small-scale farmers, ensuring conditions to increase sales and promote self-esteem.…”

Redefining the Supply Chain Model on the Milicz Carp Market

“…In recent years, the popularity and significance of short food supply chains as alternatives [22] and possibilities to solve some problems related to food safety issues [23] and conventional distribution systems has been constantly growing. This process allows the development of partner relations between producers and consumers and promotes the implementation of sustainable development principles [24][25][26].…”