IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/agfoec/v7y2019i1d10.1186_s40100-019-0142-8.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Analyzing Alternative Food Networks sustainability in Italy: a proposal for an assessment framework

Author

Listed:
  • Luigi Mastronardi

    (University of Molise)

  • Davide Marino

    (University of Molise)

  • Vincenzo Giaccio

    (University of Molise)

  • Agostino Giannelli

    (University of Molise)

  • Margherita Palmieri

    (University of Molise)

  • Giampiero Mazzocchi

    (University of Molise)

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to evaluate the sustainability of Alternative Food Networks in Italy through the construction of a composite indicator, the Global Sustainability Index. The index is able to provide decision-makers with indications on synergies and tradeoffs between the different dimensions of sustainability. The methodological approach is of the quantitative type, and the information used in the study comes from a direct survey that involved 226 producers. The results show that the environmental indicators that take the greatest value are those concerning problems of great impact on the actual debate such as the loss of genetic diversity and the use of packaging for agro-food products. Regarding economic sustainability, the indicator with the highest value is related to the ability of the Alternative Food Networks to diversify sales channels. This evidence confirms the producers’ increasing difficulty to adopt mono-directional strategies, favoring a differentiation of markets and, consequently, a reduction of economic risks. In terms of social sustainability, two interesting evidences emerge: the considerable importance attributed to the information of the features of the products and the increase in work involvement following participation in the Alternative Food Networks.

Suggested Citation

  • Luigi Mastronardi & Davide Marino & Vincenzo Giaccio & Agostino Giannelli & Margherita Palmieri & Giampiero Mazzocchi, 2019. "Analyzing Alternative Food Networks sustainability in Italy: a proposal for an assessment framework," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 7(1), pages 1-19, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:agfoec:v:7:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1186_s40100-019-0142-8
    DOI: 10.1186/s40100-019-0142-8
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1186/s40100-019-0142-8
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1186/s40100-019-0142-8?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gianluca Brunori & Francesca Galli & Dominique Barjolle & Rudolf Van Broekhuizen & Luca Colombo & Mario Giampietro & James Kirwan & Tim Lang & Erik Mathijs & Damian Maye & Kees De Roest & Carin Rougoo, 2016. "Are Local Food Chains More Sustainable than Global Food Chains? Considerations for Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(5), pages 1-27, May.
    2. Robert B. Gibson, 2006. "Beyond The Pillars: Sustainability Assessment As A Framework For Effective Integration Of Social, Economic And Ecological Considerations In Significant Decision-Making," Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management (JEAPM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 8(03), pages 259-280.
    3. Moya Kneafsey & Laura Venn & Ulrich Schmutz & Balász Bálint & Liz Trenchard & Trish Eyden-Woods & Elizabeth Bos & Gemma Sutton & Matthew Blackett, 2013. "Short Food Supply Chains and Local Food Systems in the EU. A State of Play of their Socio-Economic Characteristics," JRC Research Reports JRC80420, Joint Research Centre.
    4. Aguglia, Laura & De Santis, Francesco & Salvioni, Cristina, 2009. "Direct Selling: a Marketing Strategy to Shorten Distances between Production and Consumption," 113th Seminar, September 3-6, 2009, Chania, Crete, Greece 57657, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    5. Mastronardi, Luigi & Marino, Davide & Cavallo, Aurora & Giannelli, Agostino, 2015. "Exploring the Role of Farmers in Short Food Supply Chains: The Case of Italy," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 18(2), pages 1-22, May.
    6. Roberta Raffaelli & Lorena Coser & Geremia Gios, 2009. "Esperienze di filiera corta nell?agro-alimentare: un?indagine esplorativa in provincia di Trento," Economia agro-alimentare, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 11(1), pages 25-42.
    7. Anna Gaviglio & Mattia Bertocchi & Maria Elena Marescotti & Eugenio Demartini & Alberto Pirani, 2016. "The social pillar of sustainability: a quantitative approach at the farm level," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 4(1), pages 1-19, December.
    8. Sara Fabbrizzi & Silvio Menghini & Nicola Marinelli, 2014. "The Short Food Supply Chain: A Concrete Example of Sustainability. A Literature Review," RIVISTA DI STUDI SULLA SOSTENIBILITA', FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2014(2), pages 189-206.
    9. Henk Renting & Terry K Marsden & Jo Banks, 2003. "Understanding Alternative Food Networks: Exploring the Role of Short Food Supply Chains in Rural Development," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 35(3), pages 393-411, March.
    10. Debra Tropp, 2008. "The Growing Role of Local Food Markets: Discussion," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 90(5), pages 1310-1311.
    11. Cheryl Brown & Stacy Miller, 2008. "The Impacts of Local Markets: A Review of Research on Farmers Markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 90(5), pages 1298-1302.
    12. Francesca Galli & Fabio Bartolini & Gianluca Brunori & Luca Colombo & Oriana Gava & Stefano Grando & Andrea Marescotti, 2015. "Sustainability assessment of food supply chains: an application to local and global bread in Italy," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 3(1), pages 1-17, December.
    13. Gail Feenstra, 2002. "Creating space for sustainable food systems: Lessons from the field," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 19(2), pages 99-106, June.
    14. Geoffroy Enjolras & Magali Aubert, 2018. "Short food supply chains and the issue of sustainability: a case study of French fruit producers," Post-Print hal-01986357, HAL.
    15. Emanuele Blasi & Clara Cicatiello & Barbara Pancino & Silvio Franco, 2015. "Alternative food chains as a way to embed mountain agriculture in the urban market: the case of Trentino," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 3(1), pages 1-13, December.
    16. Aurora Cavallo & Benedetta Di Donato & Rossella Guadagno & Davide Marino, 2015. "Cities, Agriculture and Changing Landscapes in Urban Milieu: The case of Rome," RIVISTA DI STUDI SULLA SOSTENIBILITA', FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2015(1), pages 79-97.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Rosalia Stella Evola & Giovanni Peira & Erica Varese & Alessandro Bonadonna & Enrica Vesce, 2022. "Short Food Supply Chains in Europe: Scientific Research Directions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-20, March.
    2. Anna Gaviglio & Rosalia Filippini & Fabio Albino Madau & Maria Elena Marescotti & Eugenio Demartini, 2021. "Technical efficiency and productivity of farms: a periurban case study analysis," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 9(1), pages 1-18, December.
    3. Yuna Chiffoleau & Tara Dourian, 2020. "Sustainable Food Supply Chains: Is Shortening the Answer? A Literature Review for a Research and Innovation Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-21, November.
    4. Lilliana Stefanovic, 2022. "SDG Performance in Local Organic Food Systems and the Role of Sustainable Public Procurement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-29, September.
    5. Ronaldo Tavares Souza, 2020. "Box-scheme as alternative food network—the economic integration between consumers and producers," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 8(1), pages 1-25, December.
    6. Alessandra Piccoli & Adanella Rossi & Angela Genova, 2021. "A Socially-Based Redesign of Sustainable Food Practices: Community Supported Agriculture in Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-21, October.
    7. Aintzira Oñederra-Aramendi & Mirene Begiristain-Zubillaga & Mamen Cuellar-Padilla, 2023. "Characterisation of food governance for alternative and sustainable food systems: a systematic review," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 11(1), pages 1-32, December.
    8. McDowell, R.W. & Kaye-Blake, W., 2023. "Viewpoint: Act local, effect global: Integrating farm plans to solve water quality and climate change problems," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    9. Dwi Ratna Hidayati & Elena Garnevska & Paul Childerhouse, 2021. "Sustainable Agrifood Value Chain—Transformation in Developing Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-20, November.
    10. Letizia Bindi & Angelo Belliggiano, 2023. "A Highly Condensed Social Fact: Food Citizenship, Individual Responsibility, and Social Commitment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-22, April.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mastronardi, Luigi & Giaccio, Vincenzo & Marino, Davide & Romagnoli, Luca & Mazzocchi, Giampiero & Palmieri, Margherita, 2018. "Analysing consumer motivations and their behaviour in the Alternative Food Networks in Italy," 2018 Seventh AIEAA Conference, June 14-15, Conegliano, Italy 275645, Italian Association of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AIEAA).
    2. Rosalia Stella Evola & Giovanni Peira & Erica Varese & Alessandro Bonadonna & Enrica Vesce, 2022. "Short Food Supply Chains in Europe: Scientific Research Directions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-20, March.
    3. Elisa Giampietri & Dieter B. A. Koemle & Xiaohua Yu & Adele Finco, 2016. "Consumers’ Sense of Farmers’ Markets: Tasting Sustainability or Just Purchasing Food?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-14, November.
    4. Clara Cicatiello, 2020. "Alternative food shoppers and the “quantity dilemma”: a study on the determinants of their purchases at alternative markets," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 8(1), pages 1-13, December.
    5. Alexandra Doernberg & Annette Piorr & Ingo Zasada & Dirk Wascher & Ulrich Schmutz, 2022. "Sustainability assessment of short food supply chains (SFSC): developing and testing a rapid assessment tool in one African and three European city regions," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(3), pages 885-904, September.
    6. Wille, Stefan Clemens & Barklage, Britta & Spiller, Achim & von Meyer-Höfer, Marie, 2018. "Challenging factors of farmer-to-consumer direct marketing: An empirical analysis of German livestock owners," DARE Discussion Papers 1807, Georg-August University of Göttingen, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development (DARE).
    7. Athanasios Ragkos & Alexandros Theodoridis & Georgios Arsenos, 2019. "Alternative Approaches of Summer Milk Sales from Transhumant Sheep and Goat Farms: A Case Study from Northern Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-21, October.
    8. Clara Cicatiello & Silvio Franco & Emanuele Blasi & Barbara Pancino, 2015. "How Sustainable are Food Systems? One Step beyond the Concept," RIVISTA DI STUDI SULLA SOSTENIBILITA', FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2015(1), pages 181-196.
    9. Vladimir Todorovic & Marinko Maslaric & Sanja Bojic & Maja Jokic & Dejan Mircetic & Svetlana Nikolicic, 2018. "Solutions for More Sustainable Distribution in the Short Food Supply Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-27, September.
    10. Zsófia Benedek & Imre Fertő & Adrienn Molnár, 2018. "Off to market: but which one? Understanding the participation of small-scale farmers in short food supply chains—a Hungarian case study," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 35(2), pages 383-398, June.
    11. Alexandre Dubois, 2019. "Translocal practices and proximities in short quality food chains at the periphery: the case of North Swedish farmers," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 36(4), pages 763-778, December.
    12. Geoffroy Enjolras & Magali Aubert, 2018. "Short food supply chains and the issue of sustainability: a case study of French fruit producers," Post-Print hal-01986357, HAL.
    13. Argyropoulou Maria & Argyropoulou Rachel & Folinas Dimitris & Misopoulos Fotios & Najacaj Suela, 2019. "Procurement in Short Supply Chains: Lessons Learned from the Tourism Industry," International Journal of Business and Economic Sciences Applied Research (IJBESAR), Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH), Kavala Campus, Greece, vol. 12(2), pages 72-80, December.
    14. Marta Castrica & Vera Ventura & Sara Panseri & Giovanni Ferrazzi & Doriana Tedesco & Claudia Maria Balzaretti, 2020. "The Sustainability of Urban Food Systems: The Case of Mozzarella Production in the City of Milan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-13, January.
    15. Fournier, Anne J., 2018. "Direct-selling farming and urban externalities: What impact on product quality and market size?," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 97-111.
    16. 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.
    17. Giampiero Mazzocchi & Davide Marino, 2019. "Does Food Public Procurement boost Food Democracy? Theories and evidences from some case studies," Economia agro-alimentare, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 21(2), pages 379-404.
    18. Stevens Azima & Patrick Mundler, 2022. "Does direct farm marketing fulfill its promises? analyzing job satisfaction among direct-market farmers in Canada," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(2), pages 791-807, June.
    19. Daniel López-García & Manuel González de Molina, 2021. "An Operational Approach to Agroecology-Based Local Agri-Food Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-18, July.
    20. Konrád Kiss & Csaba Ruszkai & Katalin Takács-György, 2019. "Examination of Short Supply Chains Based on Circular Economy and Sustainability Aspects," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-21, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:agfoec:v:7:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1186_s40100-019-0142-8. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.