agroBRIDGES practical knowledge and tools to connect producers with consumers

Short food supply chains (SFSCs) can be pointed out as one of the most straightforward approaches for connecting consumers and producers in agri-food supply chains. They are identified as a more sustainable way of producing, processing, and/or selling food, which demonstrates a “turn to quality” in both agriculture and consumption. Traditionally, SFSCs allowed producers to have a strong position in the food chain, but their role decreased with Europe’s industrialisation and long-distance transportation, urbanisation, and technical advances. Nowadays, renewed consumer interest in direct purchasing, created by an interest in safe produce has boosted the resurgence of SFSCs. European legislation lays the foundations for their promotion through legal and policy incentives implemented in the framework of national Rural Development Programmes (RDP). The agroBRIDGES project aims at empowering farmers with practical knowledge, tools and support to rebalance their market position by setting up new business and marketing models based on Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs), with a focus on building bridges between producers and consumers. Along these lines, the project followed an integrated methodology by establishing regional multi-actor structures for demand-driven innovation, and delivering a combination of communication materials, training programmes, events, decision support and other digital tools packed in the agroBRIDGES Toolbox (www.agrobridges-toolbox.eu). More than 2,500 producers, consumers and other agri-food stakeholders have been involved in testing, validating and ultimately benefitting from the roll out of the agroBRIDGES Τoolbox and its practical support.