Creating Food Value Chain Transformations through Regional Food Hubs: A Review Article

Abstract

This article synthesizes the evidence on food value chains (FVCs) and regional food hubs (RFHs) through a systematic literature review and suggests future research directions based on the gaps identified in the review. The number of publications on FVCs and RFHs is increasing, indicating that these topics are gaining interest among scholars from different countries and disciplines. Bibliometric analysis and preferred reporting items for systematic review and a meta-analysis (PRISMA) flow chart are used to identify the data from Scopus. The results show that FVCs are an innovative solution to improve the skills and capacity of smallholder farmers through collaborative networks that can match the functions of RFHs. RFHs connect local producers and customers by operating a business based on social entrepreneurship and ecological approaches to increase local economic viability and the sustainability of agriculture products. FVCs and RFHs are designed to respond to supply chain insecurity with value-based approaches in order to achieve sustainable nutrition for the local community. Further research on FVCs and RFHs emphasizes that the business model of regional development in developing countries can improve food security sustainability based on social entrepreneurship, and emphasizes the environmental aspect that it can use to support the sustainability of developing countries local food.

Deliver Smart, Not More! Building Economically Sustainable Competitiveness on the Ground of High Agri-Food Trade Specialization in the EU

“…The findings of this empirical research paper are supported by the body of literature dedicated to the topic of agri-food value chain management with a particular focus on the strategic actions for value creation along the chain links, hence contributing to building sustainable economic competitiveness [3,34,[76][77][78][79][80]82,[143][144][145][146][147][148][149]. To provide more literature evidence that supports the main highlights of this empirical paper, findings are convergent towards the following:…”

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“…By providing a consistent local or regional market for farm products, food hubs have the potential to strengthen farmers' access to produce markets beyond the interventions of CSAs and farmers markets (Phillips & Wharton, 2016). By taking on the role of managing post-harvest sales and marketing activities, food hubs can perform a vital service that improves farmers' knowledge about market demand, and thus decreases the risk in knowing what to plant, at what time, and at what scale while also providing a reliable and consistent source of local and regional food to consumers (Hermiatin et al, 2022).…”

Unraveling Elusive Boundaries: A Comprehensive Framework for Assessing Local Food Consumption Patterns in Nova Scotia, Canada

“…However, amidst the fervor for local food, a critical challenge has arisen: to define precisely what constitutes “local”; this has proven to be a perplexing endeavor. While there is a consensus that local food originates within a confined geographical sphere, the consensus eludes us when it comes to quantifying the limits, whether in terms of kilometers or regions [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Additionally, consumer expectations introduce further complexity, with demands for attributes such as small-scale, artisanal production methods [ 5 , 9 ].…”

“…For instance, intentions to purchase local food are often gauged through measurements of factors like attitudes toward local food consumption and the subjective norms influencing such decisions [ 10 , 11 ]. In some cases, researchers resort to indirect metrics, such as crop receipts or farmer production data, to estimate local food expenditure, as exemplified by a study in Nova Scotia [ 10 , 11 ], which calculated that in 2008, 13% of the food budget directly benefited local farmers [ 8 ]. Nonetheless, more direct methodologies are warranted for a precise analysis of actual local food consumption, especially with regard to its share within the overall food budget [ 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”

“…To compound matters, studies involving food consumption often reveal misreporting when participants are asked to assess nutrient intake, with errors of omission (forgetting to mention certain items) or errors of commission (reporting items outside the specified timeframe) [ 8 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. The most effective strategy to mitigate such biases involves employing a diverse array of methods to measure food consumption [ 25 , 26 , 27 ].…”