Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
goal of various other types of AFNs. These “extended
networks” typically connect consumers and producers
more directly, often through the Internet, greatly short-
ening the supply chain that would otherwise be
involved, and at the same time promoting the demo-
cratic flow of information.
Table 23.2 lists a variety of AFNs and indicates for
each type how it makes use of the four elements of alter-
native food systems. Some of the more important of these
AFN types are discussed in more detail below.
Farmers' Markets
At a farmer's market, farmers, growers, or producers from a
specific local area are present in person to sell their own
produce directly to the public. All products sold are certified
to be grown, reared, caught, brewed, pickled, baked, smoked,
gathered, or processed by the seller. In the direct sale of their
produce to consumers, farmers can take back some of the
profits captured by the agribusiness supply chain. Perhaps
even more importantly, long-term personal relationships
between the farmer and consumer can develop that ultimately
keep bringing the consumer back to that farmer. The public
can be confident in the origins of the food, ask questions, and
stay close to the source of production. The producers get
valuable feedback from customers. The absence of middle-
men can also mean lower prices to the consumer. Case studies
from places as diverse as Costa Rica, the United Kingdom,
and U.S. show that a basket of produce purchased at a farm-
ers' market often costs less than the same products purchased
commercially (Halweil, 2004).
Over the past two decades, interest in farmers' markets
has soared. The number of registered farmers' markets in
U.S. has grown by an order of magnitude in 30 years, from
about 300 in the mid-1970s to more than 3100 today (Henry
Wallace Center, 2001). The city of Santa Cruz, CA, with a
current population of about 60,000 people, started its first
certified farmers' market in 1976. Today there is at least one
market open every day in some part of the city, and on some
days more than one, with many of them operating on a year-
round basis. Most towns in surrounding communities
outside the city limits now have their own markets as well.
In the United Kingdom, a national organization provides
support, representation, education, and certification for more
than 300 markets (National Association of Farmers Markets,
2006). In a food system defined by standardization, mass
distribution, and economies of scale, farmers' markets seem
to be ideally suited for smaller-scale and beginning farmers.
These farmers have the opportunity to begin by marketing
relatively small amounts of produce, experiment with new
crops and products, and getting into farming even when they
have limited access to economic resources.
TABLE 23.2
Types of AFNs and Their Relative Contributions to
the Four Elements of Sustainable Food Systems
Farmers' markets. Farmers
sell their products directly to
consumers
•
•
•
•
Pick your own. Consumers do
their own harvest on the farm
•
•
•
•
Farm stores. On-farm store for
direct sale, open all year
•
•
•
•
Community-supported
agriculture. Subscription
sales to consumer groups
•
•
•
•
Box schemes. Farmer
prepares a box on order for
consumer
•
•
0
0
Consumer cooperatives.
Centralized food buying
by consumers
0
•
•
•
Local-food restaurants.
Promotion of local food
by restaurants
•
•
•
0
“Dedicated” retailers. Shops
that sell local or regional
products
•
•
•
0
Catering for institutions.
Using local and regional
products in food service
•
•
0
0
Mail order sales. Long-
distance purchase from
farmer
•
0
•
e-Commerce. Direct purchase
through on-line mechanisms
•
0
•
N
OTE
:
• denotes primary importance. 0 denotes secondary importance
or potential.
FIGURE 23.6
Customers pick up their weekly CSA box.
Sub-
scribers receive a box of fresh produce directly from the farmer
during the growing season. Photo courtesy of Martha Brown.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search