On the importance of territorialized collective structures to consolidate viability of proximity and short food supply chain[De l’importance des structures collectives territorialisées pour consolider la viabilité des circuits alimentaires de proximité]

The article questions the contribution, in terms of territorial viability, of intermediate collective structures involved in short proximity food supply chain. Our empirical approach is based on two case studies of food peasant cooperation, located in Ligurian region (Terroirs44) and Wallonia region (Paysans-Artisans). Based on a qualitative and inductive methodology, we show that these two organizations implement territorial anchoring strategies. These contribute to strengthening, more or less intensively, four main sustainability dimensions: an improving to the social well-being and quality of life of theirs producers; a smaller contribution to their economic well-being; a participation in local development; and a measured added value on the environment.