Short Food Supply Chains in Slovakia: Motivations and Barriers for Foodservice Establishments

Lukáš Varecha, Lucia Laginová () and Jana Jarábková
Additional contact information
Lukáš Varecha: Institute of Regional and Rural Development, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
Lucia Laginová: Institute of Regional and Rural Development, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
Jana Jarábková: Institute of Regional and Rural Development, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-21

Abstract: This study examined the involvement of foodservice establishments in Slovakia in short food supply chains (SFSCs), focusing on factors influencing supplier selection, perceived benefits and barriers, and the impact of logistical and market conditions. The findings revealed that, while freshness and price–quality ratio are key factors for all establishments, products with local origins are significantly more valued by those engaged in SFSCs. These establishments report strengthened social connections with local producers, enhanced trust, transparency, and support for local agriculture as core benefits of SFSC participation. Key barriers include high product costs, seasonal availability, and logistical challenges, with those engaged in SFSCs facing additional difficulties in meeting volume requirements and accessing suppliers. The study found that logistical capabilities, particularly the ability to manage transport independently, strongly influence SFSC involvement, while market conditions were not shown to be significant. A lack of comprehensive distribution systems and the limited knowledge of regional suppliers further constrain SFSC engagement. These insights highlight the need for improved coordination and information channels to facilitate broader foodservice participation in regional food systems in Slovakia.

Keywords: short food supply chains (SFSCs); foodservice establishments; food distribution systems; local food systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/3/1107/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/3/1107/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:1107-:d:1579865

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().