Sustainability in Alternative Food Networks: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to individuals organizing themselves and managing food systems in an ‘alternative’ and more sustainable way. Such emerging food initiatives are most commonly known as ‘Alternative Food Networks’ (AFNs). However, there is an ongoing debate concerning the extent to which AFNs facilitate social, economic and environmental change. There are criticisms of the overall sustainability promise of AFNs related to sufficiency of impact, possible counter effects and relevance of impacts. Because often empirical studies only focus on specific sustainability issues or AFNs, it has been difficult to develop more robust theories about the relations between diverse AFNs arrangements and sustainability. Thus, the aim of this paper is to contribute towards reducing this knowledge gap through a systematic literature review on AFNs in relation to sustainability. We summarize main methodological approaches, types of AFNs studied and sustainability dimensions addressed in literature to date. Findings serve as reference to propose opportunities for future research regarding sustainability in AFNs.

How to avoid the tragedy of alternative food networks (AFNs)? The impact of social capital and transparency on AFN performance

“…AFNs have attracted the attention of several disciplines so far (Michel-Villarreal et al , 2019); however, little research has addressed this topic from a managerial and organisational point of view. Due to the recentness of the AFN model, it is still unclear which are the factors that should be leveraged to help AFNs to survive and succeed.…”

“…AFNs are born to contrast the huge mistrust towards the traditional and conventional food system (Corsi et al , 2018; Michel-Villarreal et al , 2019), giving rise to a comprehensive body of practices: farmers' markets (Holloway and Kneasfey, 2000; Moggi et al , 2018), community-supported agriculture (Allen et al , 2017), box schemes (Bosona et al , 2011), solidarity purchasing groups (Brunori et al , 2012), food cooperatives (Fonte and Cucco, 2017) and food assemblies (De Bernardi and Tirabeni, 2018). Due to the variety of AFNs, the literature has not yet provided a clear and consolidated definition.…”

Factors that Affect Nonmarket Fruit and Vegetable Receptions: Analyses of Two Cross-Sectional Surveys in Gunma, Japan

“…A growing interest in alternative food networks (AFNs) has become evident [1]. This may be due to the increasing criticism of the current food system regarding negative impacts on human wellbeing and sustainability [1,2]. Forssell et al [1] states that AFNs have the following five characteristics: "Participants' non-conventional values and goals"; "increased requirements for products and production"; "reduced distance between producers and consumers"; "new forms of market governance"; and "strong relationships, exemplified by notions of trust and social embeddedness."…”

“…Forssell et al [1] states that AFNs have the following five characteristics: "Participants' non-conventional values and goals"; "increased requirements for products and production"; "reduced distance between producers and consumers"; "new forms of market governance"; and "strong relationships, exemplified by notions of trust and social embeddedness." AFNs include practices such as community supported agriculture, farmers' markets, organic farms, cooperatives, solidarity purchasing groups, farm shops, urban agriculture, box scheme, and community gardens [2]. The distribution of nonmarket food (home grown foods and foods received from neighbors and/or relatives [3][4][5][6][7]) can be considered one aspect of AFNs that is related to the previously described characteristics [1].…”

Practicing mundane consumer resistance in the REKO local food system

“…1. Local food systems and local food networks are regarded here as interchangeable terms (Michel-Villarreal et al , 2019). …”