Socioeconomic development in an ultra-peripheral European region: the role of a food regulatory council as a social anchor

Food regulatory councils, designations of origin, and protected designations of origin are critical for quality control and compliance of regulations of food production. While executing these activities, regulatory councils may also contribute to a rural region's wealth in various ways, for instance, promoting socioeconomic development by enhancing the image, positioning, and preservation of local food cultures. In adopting social anchor theory, this study examines the role of a cheese regulatory council in an ultra-peripheral European region (La Palma Island). Interviews with current and former representatives of the regulatory council and with member cheese producers were conducted. The findings demonstrate the council's potential to help create rural wealth by fulfilling the role of a social anchor, particularly promoting change, and providing a point of connection, guidance, and support in production processes. The various implications emerging from the findings are discussed, and avenues for future studies are suggested.