Local organic agri-food supply chains in the Rhône-Alpes region: diversity of organisational models and insights into the concept of ‘locality’

Over the past decade or so, innovative distribution models for organic produce have emerged, bridging the gap between long and short supply chains. These are often referred to as ‘local supply chains’. Our work is based on an analysis of 18 local supply chains in the Rhône-Alpes region. It begins by examining the dynamics of how these supply chains are established and organised: the diversity of the stakeholders involved, and the relationships and rules that have gradually been established. We then analyse these networks in terms of geographical and relational proximity, focusing on the stakeholders and mechanisms being put in place to compensate for the growing geographical and relational distance between producers and consumers. We subsequently assess the performance of these networks in light of the benefits commonly attributed to short supply chains. Finally, we show that local supply chains contribute in some cases to the mainstreaming of organic farming, whilst in others they serve as spaces for mitigating the agro-industrial model.