Despite strong market interest in speciality foods, producers find market access and distribution challenging. This exploratory research includes a literature review and five case studies of supply chains relating to shellfish, cheese, meat, potato, and miscellaneous speciality foods in the Mid-Norway region. The study identifies key supply chain configuration parameters from the extant literature, and these are used to analyse the cases. The study makes three main contributions to literature: an analytical framework for analysing the supply chain characteristics of speciality foods; important supply chain factors for accessing the conventional food supply chain; and five propositions for improving market access. We argue that the speciality foods supply chain should be configured according to these propositions to ensure responsiveness to customer needs and to strengthen market access.

Highlights 1 A bioeconomic transition to minimize food loss and waste calls for institutional and technical innovation. 2 Cascading options to avoid food losses occurring in chicken, fish, and fruits & vegetable industry, explored. 3 Contribution and novelty is the transdisciplinary investigation of concrete bioeconomic cascading and valorisation options in the case of three value chains in Norway. 4 A transdisciplinary approach and involvement of industrial actors collaborating with researchers is required to address societal challenges facing the bioeconomy.

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Abstract. This paper describes a case study which highlights responsiveness in a Norwegian retail supply chain. The dynamics in the conventional food market is increasing which is seen in online and multichannel shopping concepts, a wide range of campaigns and promotions, and demographic changes. While the conventional food supply chains are designed to handle large product volumes efficiently, this might impact on the responsiveness. This study explores the relation between the responsiveness of the food retail supply chains in Norway and proposes how the planning and control models should be developed.

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