The Role of Short Food Supply Chains in Greece -- What Opportunities for Sustainable, Just and Democratic Food Systems at Times of Crisis?

Abstract

Criticism against agro-industrial food systems and intense farming practices is increasing. Local food chains have emerged as a promising approach for transitions towards sustainable food systems (in terms of environment, socioeconomic equity and regional development) [1, 2]. The currently dire economic situation in Greece has 'stimulated' the emergence of alternative local food chains enabling the economic crisis to be understood within the context of resilience [3]. This paper aims to examine resilience as the ability of people, groups or communities to cope with external stresses and disturbances resulting from social, political and environmental change. A relatively new tendency could also be viewed as part of a wider revival of socially-motivated and solidarity based economic activities in the past decade. Local short food chains exist in a range of forms in both commercial and non-commercial settings. A comparison of different types of 'short' food networks is useful and will be presented. The methods employed will be based on a literature review, desktop research and information derived from an EU funded research project. Furthermore, key issues of the analysis will focus on activities, actors, type of products, area and territory, health and sustainability aspects, growth potential and innovation [cf. 4].