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Assessing the Potential of Alternative Food Networks for the Sale and Distribution of Local Varieties in Granada (Spain)

Author

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  • Álvaro Ibáñez-Jiménez

    (Institute of Regional Development, Centro de Documentación Científica, Rector López Argüeta s/n, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain)

  • Yolanda Jiménez-Olivencia

    (Institute of Regional Development, Centro de Documentación Científica, Rector López Argüeta s/n, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
    Department of Regional Geographical Analysis and Physical Geography, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Campus de Cartuja s/n, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain)

  • Ángela Mesa-Pedrazas

    (Department of Sociology, Faculty of Political Sciences and Sociology, Rector López Argüeta s/n, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain)

  • Laura Porcel-Rodríguez

    (Institute of Regional Development, Centro de Documentación Científica, Rector López Argüeta s/n, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
    Department of Human Geography, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Campus de Cartuja s/n, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain)

Abstract

The process of standardization within the dominant agrifood system is being accompanied by growing demand for differentiated high-quality food products that are environmentally sustainable. In this scenario, Alternative Food Networks (AFNs) could help the local agrifood sector and local or traditional variety crops regain their pivotal role. The objective of this paper is to assess the potential of AFNs in the metropolitan area of Granada and in the nearby mountain region of the Alpujarra in the promotion and distribution of local varieties of fruit and vegetables from this region. The research took the form of case studies in which the information was collected in semi-structured interviews with the AFNs and then subjected to content analysis. The results highlight that the socioenvironmental commitment of the AFNs is their strongest asset for the conservation, sale, and distribution of biodiverse local variety produce. However, these organizations still have very limited knowledge of local varieties and there are doubts as to their capacity to mobilize sufficient volumes of these products and successfully establish themselves in rural areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Álvaro Ibáñez-Jiménez & Yolanda Jiménez-Olivencia & Ángela Mesa-Pedrazas & Laura Porcel-Rodríguez, 2024. "Assessing the Potential of Alternative Food Networks for the Sale and Distribution of Local Varieties in Granada (Spain)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-22, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:21:p:9478-:d:1511379
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pedro Cerrada-Serra & Ana Moragues-Faus & Tjitske Anna Zwart & Barbora Adlerova & Dionisio Ortiz-Miranda & Tessa Avermaete, 2018. "Exploring the contribution of alternative food networks to food security. A comparative analysis," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 10(6), pages 1371-1388, December.
    2. Konrád Kiss & Csaba Ruszkai & Antónia Szűcs & Gábor Koncz, 2020. "Examining the Role of Local Products in Rural Development in the Light of Consumer Preferences—Results of a Consumer Survey from Hungary," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-24, July.
    3. Jiménez-Olivencia, Yolanda & Ibáñez-Jiménez, Álvaro & Porcel-Rodríguez, Laura & Zimmerer, Karl, 2021. "Land use change dynamics in Euro-mediterranean mountain regions: Driving forces and consequences for the landscape," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    4. Thomas Dax & Karin Schroll & Ingrid Machold & Martyna Derszniak-Noirjean & Bernd Schuh & Mailin Gaupp-Berghausen, 2021. "Land Abandonment in Mountain Areas of the EU: An Inevitable Side Effect of Farming Modernization and Neglected Threat to Sustainable Land Use," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-17, June.
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