Short supply chains as a viable alternative for the distribution of food in urban areas? investigation of the performance of several distribution schemes

Abstract

In recent years, alternative forms of consumption in conventional food systems have emerged across the world. Specifically, the concept of short food supply chains advocates consumption of local products and distribution with maximum one (or ideally none) intermediary between the producer and the consumer. The objective of these consumption patterns is to reduce the externalities caused by conventional consumption modes, bring closer consumers and producers, and allow small-scale farmers to diversify their production, capturing greater value added, and ensuring more stable incomes. A large variety of typology of short supply chains can be distinguished, ranging from direct sales and distribution by producers to Internet sales through e-commerce operators. However, consumption of local products does not automatically reduce the negative externalities. Indeed, the short food supply chain still faces many logistics, regulatory, and commercial challenges to constitute a real alternative to the globalized food model. Logistics is currently one of the main bottlenecks for thedevelopment of this sector. It has become even more complex in urban areas where the transportation of goods is subject to many constraints, such as the time spent on the road due to traffic, the difficulty in finding the right delivery point, and the lack of unloading areas or access restrictions.