Effective management and governance of Slow Food’s Earth Markets as a driver of sustainable consumption and production

Abstract

This study analyzes how management and governance policies and practices affect the achievement of sustainable consumption and production (SCP) patterns at Earth Markets. The mixed-method research collected data through online surveys from 52 of these Markets in 14 countries and from a qualitative follow-up study of 11 of the 52. The analysis shows that paying to participate in Earth Markets is a significant antecedent of SCP. Other significant antecedents are collaboration with stakeholders in more mature markets and the number of the volunteers in newer markets. A community-based governance model enables broad stakeholder participation, which encourages community involvement and support. Inspired by the Slow Food philosophy, Earth Markets contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and to economic and social sustainability by supporting small farmers, building communities, fostering social justice and preserving cultural heritage. Their potential for generating other local events will be of importance to regional developers. This empirical study is novel in that it adopts a holistic approach to linking farmers' markets with SDGs.

Keywords:

• Sustainable consumption and production
• sustainable development goals
• SDG 12
• farmers’ markets
• community-based governance
• circularity

Acknowledgement

The authors thank the Guest Editors and three anonymous referees for their insightful advice throughout the review process. The authors also thank Michele Rumiz and Elena Sandrone from Slow Food, and Earth Market communities for their assistance in data collection, and Peggy Alptekin (Bogazici University) for her editorial work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Burcin Hatipoglu

Burcin Hatipoglu, Ph.D., is a visiting fellow at the School of Business, Canberra, and Industrial Relations Research Centre (IRRC), Sydney, at the University of New South Wales. She is the co-founder of Heritage & Slow TourismLAB. Her research has focused on human capital development, policy, and planning for sustainable tourism, societal wellbeing, and women entrepreneurship.

Kivanc Inelmen

Kivanc Inelmen, Ph.D., is a Professor of Management and Strategy, and he is currently the Chair of the Department of Tourism Administration, at Bogazici University, Istanbul. His recent research spans the areas of trust in and around organizations; demographic diversity and employee voice; employees' satisfaction and intention to stay; sustainability of medical tourism organizations.