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Consumers’ Sustainability Perceptions of the Supply Chain of Locally Produced Food

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  • Ari Paloviita

    (School of Business and Economics, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland)

Abstract

This article is based on a qualitative focus group study regarding consumer perceptions about the sustainability of locally produced food supply chains. Sustainability perceptions were analyzed through thematic content analysis, where the most important economic, environmental and social themes of the supply chain were emphasized. According to the research findings, the socio-cultural aspects encompassing locally produced food form the most important sustainability dimension for consumers. Although the sample size is small, consisting of 19 consumers and limited to Central Finland, the findings suggest that the sustainability of local food should be promoted via socio-cultural arguments alongside economic or environmental ones. The results conclude that the development of local food networks requires direct personal relationships with producers, social networking, consumer education and communication.

Suggested Citation

  • Ari Paloviita, 2010. "Consumers’ Sustainability Perceptions of the Supply Chain of Locally Produced Food," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 2(6), pages 1-18, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:2:y:2010:i:6:p:1492-1509:d:8502
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    1. Carlsson-Kanyama, Annika & Ekstrom, Marianne Pipping & Shanahan, Helena, 2003. "Food and life cycle energy inputs: consequences of diet and ways to increase efficiency," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 44(2-3), pages 293-307, March.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Rituraj Singh & Gourav Dwivedi, 2025. "Agri-food Supply Chain Management: A Review Using Bibliometric, Network, and Content Analyses," SN Operations Research Forum, Springer, vol. 6(2), pages 1-48, June.
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    5. Michael C. Dorneich & Caroline C. Krejci & Nicholas Schwab & Tiffanie F. Stone & Erin Huckins & Janette R. Thompson & Ulrike Passe, 2024. "Producer and consumer perspectives on supporting and diversifying local food systems in central Iowa," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 41(2), pages 661-681, June.
    6. Romy Morana & Stefan Seuring, 2011. "A Three Level Framework for Closed-Loop Supply Chain Management—Linking Society, Chain and Actor Level," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 3(4), pages 1-14, April.
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    13. Azucena Gracia & Miguel I. Gómez, 2020. "Food Sustainability and Waste Reduction in Spain: Consumer Preferences for Local, Suboptimal, And/Or Unwashed Fresh Food Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-15, May.
    14. Niklas, Britta, 2024. "The effect of South African wine certifications on price premiums and marginal costs: A two-stage hedonic approach," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    15. Melkonyan, Ani & Gruchmann, Tim & Lohmar, Fabian & Kamath, Vasanth & Spinler, Stefan, 2020. "Sustainability assessment of last-mile logistics and distribution strategies: The case of local food networks," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    16. Daniela Craveiro & Sibila Marques & Ana Marreiros & Ruth Bell & Matluba Khan & Cristina Godinho & Sonia Quiroga & Cristina Suárez, 2019. "Equity, Health, and Sustainability with PROVE: The Evaluation of a Portuguese Program for a Short Distance Supply Chain of Fruits and Vegetables," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-15, December.
    17. María G. Lira & Iain J. Davidson-Hunt & James P. Robson, 2022. "Artisanal Products and Land-Use Land-Cover Change in Indigenous Communities: The Case of Mezcal Production in Oaxaca, Mexico," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-18, March.
    18. Lionel Valenzuela & Rodrigo Ortega & Daniel Moscovici & Jeff Gow & Adeline Alonso Ugaglia & Radu Mihailescu, 2022. "Consumer Willingness to Pay for Sustainable Wine—The Chilean Case," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-14, September.
    19. Ilona Liliána Birtalan & Attila Bartha & Ágnes Neulinger & György Bárdos & Attila Oláh & József Rácz & Adrien Rigó, 2020. "Community Supported Agriculture as a Driver of Food-Related Well-Being," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-17, June.
    20. Beske, Philip & Land, Anna & Seuring, Stefan, 2014. "Sustainable supply chain management practices and dynamic capabilities in the food industry: A critical analysis of the literature," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 131-143.
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    22. Chiara Rinaldi, 2017. "Food and Gastronomy for Sustainable Place Development: A Multidisciplinary Analysis of Different Theoretical Approaches," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-25, September.

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