Food Hubs and the Role of Small Farmers in Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

This paper analyzes the role that food hubs (FHs), a new system for organizing the distribution of agri-food products, could have in order to increase the competitiveness of marginal farmers. The research was carried out through interviews with 20 farmers in conditions of economic “marginality” in the Province of Palermo, Italy. Results show that FHs can represent a new perspective to increase the competitiveness and sustainability of small farms that are unable to compete with large-scale distributors. FHs foster a “strategic network” which involves all the players in the supply chain, from the manufacturing companies to the consumer’s table, and they are a source of co-production of “shared value”. Results also show that FHs have positive economic, social and environmental impacts and they could represent an important opportunity for family farms and the territories affected by rural exodus.

Keywords:

• Distribution strategy
• food hub
• marketing methods
• small farms
• sustainable agriculture

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.