COACH Project: Benefits of Policies for Short Food Supply Chains

Short Food Supply Chains (SFCs) deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits but require targeted support to maximise impact. The COACH project, involving 13 case studies across eight countries, identifies four key priorities: fostering collaboration, investing in shared facilities like food hubs, enabling collective marketing, and facilitating knowledge exchange. Producers gain from long-term buyer relationships, shared infrastructure, and regular learning exchanges, enhancing trust and market access. The project developed a self-assessment tool to evaluate economic, social, and environmental impacts, praised by practitioners such as a Spanish community-supported agriculture group. Policy recommendations include promoting collective organisation, supporting self-assessment, and funding research for small-scale enterprises. These measures aim to strengthen SFCs, rebalance producer-consumer dynamics, and drive innovation in territorial food systems.