Sign in Subscribe
Food supply

Short Food Supply Chains Offer Promising Alternatives to Industrialized Food Distribution Systems

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A new systematic literature review by University of Kassel researchers highlights the importance of short food supply chains (SFSCs) in promoting sustainable food systems. The study, published in Agricultural and Food Economics, emphasizes the need for a unified approach to understanding consumer perspectives on SFSCs. Researchers analyzed 30 peer-reviewed articles based on empirical research of SFSC consumers in the European Union, applying Alphabet Theory as a theoretical framework. The findings suggest that contextual factors, information availability, and trust play a significant role in shaping consumer behavior around SFSCs.

Key Takeaways:

  • Short food supply chains (SFSCs) are increasingly regarded as promising alternatives to industrialized food distribution systems.
  • SFSCs aim to create geographical, logistical, and social proximity between food producers and consumers.
  • The systematic literature review analyzed 30 peer-reviewed articles based on empirical research of SFSC consumers in the European Union.
  • The findings emphasize the influence of contextual factors, information availability, and trust on consumer behavior around SFSCs.
  • The study highlights the importance of understanding how these factors interact to shape consumers' perceptions of the costs and benefits of SFSCs.
  • The researchers provide recommendations to address the challenges identified and suggest directions for future research.
  • Katrin Zander is an additional author on the study.
  • The study was funded by UniversitaT Kassel.
  • The publisher of the journal Agricultural and Food Economics is SpringerOpen.

Statistics:

  • 30 peer-reviewed articles were selected for analysis in the systematic literature review.
  • 13 issue of Agricultural and Food Economics published the study.
  • 1-40 pages of the journal article cover the study's findings.
  • 2025 is the year the study was published.
  • 6 months is the typical time period for the Agricultural and Food Economics journal cycle.

Sources:

  • Determinants of consumer behavior in short food supply chains: a systematic literature review, Agricultural and Food Economics, 2025,13(1):1-40.
  • SpringerOpen (publisher of Agricultural and Food Economics).
  • https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1186/s40100-025-00370-w (free version of the journal article).
  • Janna Herzig, Section of Agricultural and Food Marketing, University of Kassel (contact for additional information).

Read more