Linking Local Food Systems and the Social Economy? Future Roles for Farmers' Markets in Alberta and British Columbia*

Abstract

Often organized as grassroots, nonprofit organizations, many farmers' markets serve as strategic venues linking producers and consumers of local food while fulfilling multiple social, economic, and environmental objectives. This article examines the potential of farmers' markets to play a catalyst role in linking local food systems to the social economy in western Canada. We used the Delphi method of inquiry to solicit and synthesize perspectives on the future role of farmers' markets within local food systems and the social economy from farmers' market vendors, market managers, and policy and government representatives in each province. We found that negotiations over the definition of local food systems, the dynamics of supply and demand relationships, and perceptions of "authenticity" affect the positionality of farmers' markets in relation to other marketing channels within regional food systems. Stakeholders engaged in this Delphi inquiry strategized ways to scale up local food systems beyond current limits while also maintaining the "authentic experience" offered by farmers' markets that has helped to fuel increased consumer interest, demand, and growth. Results confirm the need for further investigation of the relationship between the social economy, infrastructure, and authenticity in the development of local food systems. * We would like to thank Emily Huddart Kennedy, Melisa Zapisocky, Paul Cabaj, and Herb Barbolet for research assistance and Al Cook, Gerardo Otero, Sean Connelly, and the anonymous reviewers for helpful comments on earlier drafts.

Beef Cattle Farms’ Conversion to the Organic System. Recommendations for Success in the Face of Future Changes in a Global Context

“…Although the boundaries of the system were the farm, some aspects of the food chain upstream (kilometers travelled by fodder) and downstream (products processing products by the producer, and direct sales) were also included, due to the importance of these aspects for the sustainability of these farms [33]. Finally, a list of 55 indicators (Table 1), complying with the criteria of relevance, practicability, and end user value recommended by [34] were selected.…”

“…Agricultural business management out of the farm gate (to add value to the products and direct marketing) is essential for livestock production, even more in added value foods, so that farmers receive a higher price for their products. This has been identified as one of the main factors that determine the profitability of organic farms [4,33,[48][49][50]. Moreover, these practices increase social interaction, opportunities in the rural world and the social and environmental impact of the food chain upstream.…”

What does it mean to do food justice?

“…• Forges new exchange mechanisms that build communal reliance through cooperation, trust, and sharing economies (Edwards and Mercer 2012;Gibson-Graham 2008;Gowan and Slocum 2014;Grasseni 2013;Hébert and Mincyte 2014;Hinrichs 2000;North 2014;Schor 2010;Schor and Thompson 2014;Sherriff 2009;Wittman, Beckie, and Hergesheimer 2012).…”

Organic Livestock Farming — Challenges, Perspectives, and Strategies to Increase Its Contribution to the Agrifood System’s Sustainability — A Review

“…In this regard, it is fair to mention that most of the benefits provided by the organic production model in relation to rural development seem to be due to both their participation in short marketing channels [31][32] and obtaining a higher price ("price premium") for their organic products [33][34]. According to the authors cited, this premium price is necessary for organic farms profitability, especially during the years of conversion, because the farms' incomes are often reduced and costs increased [31][32].…”

“…According to the authors cited, this premium price is necessary for organic farms profitability, especially during the years of conversion, because the farms' incomes are often reduced and costs increased [31][32]. However, there is controversy on the relationship between the condition of being organic and short marketing channels, but in general terms, such relationship is weak [24,35].…”