Farmer use of intermediated market channels: a review

Abstract

Intermediated markets are relatively new market channels that have the potential to expand local and regional food systems while increasing the viability of small- and medium-sized farms. The intermediated channels comprise a short supply chain linking farmers with consumers through the use of intermediary such as a distributor or supermarket. In many instances, these supply chains embed social or environmental values, such as supporting local farming. In this paper, we examine the current state of knowledge about the intermediated market channel. The first source of knowledge consists of data from federal and private sources. Next, we review a selection of the published literature focusing on farmer use of intermediated market channels in the USA. The main intermediated channels include direct to institutions, such as schools and hospitals; food hubs; and direct to retail. The paper finishes by raising questions about future of intermediated markets, based on the findings of the literature review and data.

Farm Fresh Food Boxes: Relationships in Value Chain Partnerships

“…In response to these trends, several market and social institutions have pursued the development of alternative food networks (AFNs) that seek to reduce the number of intermediaries and spatial distances between producers and consumers (Bloom & Hinrichs, 2011;Valchuis, Conner, Berlin, & Wang, 2015). AFNs use both direct-toconsumer (DTC) sales and innovations such as values-based supply chains (VBSCs) to distribute foods with qualities often missing from industrially produced foods (Feenstra & Hardesty, 2016;Dimitri & Gardner, 2019). In DTC venues, farmers convey product characteristics through a direct relationship with consumers, while in VBSC, each actor is responsible for conveying this to the end purchaser.…”

Point-of-Sale Specific Willingness to Pay for Quality-Differentiated Beef

“…The point-of-sales examined were brick-and-mortar supermarkets, farmers' markets, and online stores. Many other options exist that are a mixture of conventional B&Ms and direct marketing, such as the intermediate supply chain discussed in Reference [46]. As there is an inherent limit to the number of factors a choice experiment can realistically examine, these other options were not within this study's scope, but our results are nevertheless useful references for these excluded options.…”

Transaction Costs and Farm-to-Market Linkages in China: Empirical Evidence from Apple Producers

“…The study revealed that some transaction costs variables (e.g., grade uncertainty, risk of not selling, time spent at the auction) were the significant factors affecting the choice of either live-ring auction or direct-to packer sales. Various factors affect the choice of the market channel, but the study found that problems of transport, searching for markets, and education level tend to have greater influence (Dimitri & Gardner, 2019).…”