Fostering urban short food supply chains

11/26/2024 - 09:28

Short urban food supply chains can help create a sustainable and secure food system, support the local economy, and ensure food availability. These systems need expertise from various fields like farming, food processing, transportation, technology, sustainable business, and community innovation. However, there are gaps in research and unclear government policies.

Expertise

This study looks at short urban food supply chains using a case study from Breda, a city in the Netherlands. The researchers observed urban farming projects, interviewed experts, and analyzed how these supply chains are developing.

Urban farms are usually small because of limited resources, strict sustainability rules, lack of infrastructure, and unclear food quality regulations. They also face high costs due to small-scale operations and seasonal production. To succeed, these farms need more support from partners and better local distribution systems. New local business models are expected to help urban farming grow and meet today’s sustainability goals.

Download the paper: Fostering urban short food supply chains: Evidence from the Netherlands | E3S Web of Conferences