Global Food Supply system vs. Short Food Supply Chain (SFSC) The food supply chain explains the processes of production, processing, distribution, consumption, and disposal. Whereas the short food supply chain associates to the geographical distances or numbers of links in the supply chain (Friedmann & McNair, 2008, 248), involving the different schemes of direct sale from farmers to consumers. As Marsden et al mentions in the analysis of three main types of short food supply chain: face-to-face, spatial proximity, and spatially extended, (Marsden et al, 2000, p.425), such sales schemes could be local farmers’ markets, farmers’ shops, etc. The concept of short supply chains is expressed and defined by many authors in their readings, by
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In terms of improving agri-food provisioning, it is necessary to ensure and improve food safety. There are some ways of agri-food labeling that improve food safety. First, it promotes international food trade by allowing small-scale producers to have better access into international agricultural markets for equal and open market competition. As Hammoudi states that, “standards affect competition” (Hammoudi, 2009), in this case, standards of the labeling affect producers’ lives and increases competition on the market, and even alter consumers’ choics on consumption. Second, it ensures that producers are well protected with fair trade conditions. Third, it creates practical practices in the food supply chain. As the short food supply chain is a very good example to demonstrate avoiding or reducing the power centralization and relations within the industry. Since consumers are more focusing on the food quality and safety concerns, it somewhat promotes the growth of labeled food production because it is more open to consumers by providing information and background of the food product, so that consumers are able to know the foods’ origins and production processes. Therefore, it shows that the agri-food labeling system is trustworthy because of its reliable source and high level of …show more content…
For instance, according to Nelson, he points out the limitations of the third party certification model and introduces an alternative from of participatory guarantee system (PGS) has emerged by showing the case study of Mexico. Compared to the third party certification, PGS focuses on some prominent benefits features including reconstructing the local and re-embedding the food systems into their socio-ecological contexts. However, at the same time, the PGS also has certain challenges such as lack of institutional recognition, social and personal conflicts and dependence on donated time and resources (Nelson, 2010). By analyzing this example, it shows that certification systems are still missing a lot of supports and have to go through a lot of processes to gain support from the governemnt and non-governmental organization. However, the advantages of other mainstream and successful certification model and agri-food labeling system cannot be
In terms of improving agri-food provisioning, it is necessary to ensure and improve food safety. There are some ways of agri-food labeling that improve food safety. First, it promotes international food trade by allowing small-scale producers to have better access into international agricultural markets for equal and open market competition. As Hammoudi states that, “standards affect competition” (Hammoudi, 2009), in this case, standards of the labeling affect producers’ lives and increases competition on the market, and even alter consumers’ choics on consumption. Second, it ensures that producers are well protected with fair trade conditions. Third, it creates practical practices in the food supply chain. As the short food supply chain is a very good example to demonstrate avoiding or reducing the power centralization and relations within the industry. Since consumers are more focusing on the food quality and safety concerns, it somewhat promotes the growth of labeled food production because it is more open to consumers by providing information and background of the food product, so that consumers are able to know the foods’ origins and production processes. Therefore, it shows that the agri-food labeling system is trustworthy because of its reliable source and high level of …show more content…
For instance, according to Nelson, he points out the limitations of the third party certification model and introduces an alternative from of participatory guarantee system (PGS) has emerged by showing the case study of Mexico. Compared to the third party certification, PGS focuses on some prominent benefits features including reconstructing the local and re-embedding the food systems into their socio-ecological contexts. However, at the same time, the PGS also has certain challenges such as lack of institutional recognition, social and personal conflicts and dependence on donated time and resources (Nelson, 2010). By analyzing this example, it shows that certification systems are still missing a lot of supports and have to go through a lot of processes to gain support from the governemnt and non-governmental organization. However, the advantages of other mainstream and successful certification model and agri-food labeling system cannot be