The Potential Role of Short Food Supply Chains in Strengthening Periurban Agriculture in Spain: The Cases of Madrid and Barcelona
Periurban agriculture is being hit by the effects of the globalized food system, as well as by concrete aspects of urban sprawl. Nonetheless, proximity to the main markets provides an opportunity to sustain agriculture in highly urbanized areas. In this sense, an increasing number of local initiativ...
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doaj-3f96604b071c4c1f9e51dff249a0febd2020-11-25T01:56:26ZengMDPI AGSustainability2071-10502019-04-01117208010.3390/su11072080su11072080The Potential Role of Short Food Supply Chains in Strengthening Periurban Agriculture in Spain: The Cases of Madrid and BarcelonaCarolina Yacamán Ochoa0Alberto Matarán1Rafael Mata Olmo2Jose María López3Rafael Fuentes-Guerra4Facultad de Geografía e Historia, Departamento de Geografía, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, SpainDepartamento de Urbanística y Ordenación del Territorio, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, SpainFacultad de Filosofía y Letras, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, SpainHabitat 4 SCA, 18001 Granada, SpainHabitat 4 SCA, 18001 Granada, SpainPeriurban agriculture is being hit by the effects of the globalized food system, as well as by concrete aspects of urban sprawl. Nonetheless, proximity to the main markets provides an opportunity to sustain agriculture in highly urbanized areas. In this sense, an increasing number of local initiatives is arising within the context of Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs). The economic impact of these initiatives, however, is limited by problems and inefficiencies that hinder their capacity to scale up. The present paper sets forth the results of a research project developed in Madrid and Cataluña. The study is based upon documentary and empirical research addressing the main problems periurban farmers are facing in relation to local food distribution. Among other factors, these refer to regulatory barriers, logistics, competition and dealing with consumers’ preferences. We conducted a questionnaire with a representative group of farmers from each region in three towns presenting different demographic sizes along with another questionnaire extended to the owners of small grocery stores, who play a vital role in the supply of fresh food in these municipalities. Our research demonstrates that most of the problems arising when dealing with SFSCS can be solved by introducing new forms of cooperation among the different agents of the food chain.https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/7/2080short food supply chainsdistributionperiurban agriculturelocal food systemsfarm questionnairesmall grocery questionnairegovernance |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Carolina Yacamán Ochoa Alberto Matarán Rafael Mata Olmo Jose María López Rafael Fuentes-Guerra |
spellingShingle |
Carolina Yacamán Ochoa Alberto Matarán Rafael Mata Olmo Jose María López Rafael Fuentes-Guerra The Potential Role of Short Food Supply Chains in Strengthening Periurban Agriculture in Spain: The Cases of Madrid and Barcelona Sustainability short food supply chains distribution periurban agriculture local food systems farm questionnaire small grocery questionnaire governance |
author_facet |
Carolina Yacamán Ochoa Alberto Matarán Rafael Mata Olmo Jose María López Rafael Fuentes-Guerra |
author_sort |
Carolina Yacamán Ochoa |
title |
The Potential Role of Short Food Supply Chains in Strengthening Periurban Agriculture in Spain: The Cases of Madrid and Barcelona |
title_short |
The Potential Role of Short Food Supply Chains in Strengthening Periurban Agriculture in Spain: The Cases of Madrid and Barcelona |
title_full |
The Potential Role of Short Food Supply Chains in Strengthening Periurban Agriculture in Spain: The Cases of Madrid and Barcelona |
title_fullStr |
The Potential Role of Short Food Supply Chains in Strengthening Periurban Agriculture in Spain: The Cases of Madrid and Barcelona |
title_full_unstemmed |
The Potential Role of Short Food Supply Chains in Strengthening Periurban Agriculture in Spain: The Cases of Madrid and Barcelona |
title_sort |
potential role of short food supply chains in strengthening periurban agriculture in spain: the cases of madrid and barcelona |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Sustainability |
issn |
2071-1050 |
publishDate |
2019-04-01 |
description |
Periurban agriculture is being hit by the effects of the globalized food system, as well as by concrete aspects of urban sprawl. Nonetheless, proximity to the main markets provides an opportunity to sustain agriculture in highly urbanized areas. In this sense, an increasing number of local initiatives is arising within the context of Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs). The economic impact of these initiatives, however, is limited by problems and inefficiencies that hinder their capacity to scale up. The present paper sets forth the results of a research project developed in Madrid and Cataluña. The study is based upon documentary and empirical research addressing the main problems periurban farmers are facing in relation to local food distribution. Among other factors, these refer to regulatory barriers, logistics, competition and dealing with consumers’ preferences. We conducted a questionnaire with a representative group of farmers from each region in three towns presenting different demographic sizes along with another questionnaire extended to the owners of small grocery stores, who play a vital role in the supply of fresh food in these municipalities. Our research demonstrates that most of the problems arising when dealing with SFSCS can be solved by introducing new forms of cooperation among the different agents of the food chain. |
topic |
short food supply chains distribution periurban agriculture local food systems farm questionnaire small grocery questionnaire governance |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/7/2080 |
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