Producers’ and Consumers’ Perception of the Sustainability of Short Food Supply Chains: The Case of Parmigiano Reggiano PDO

Maria Cecilia Mancini, Davide Menozzi, Michele Donati, Beatrice Biasini, Mario Veneziani and Filippo Arfini
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Maria Cecilia Mancini: Department of Economics and Management, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy
Davide Menozzi: Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
Michele Donati: Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
Beatrice Biasini: Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
Filippo Arfini: Department of Economics and Management, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 3, 1-23

Abstract: Recent literature has highlighted the importance of testing the sustainability performances of supply chains. Nevertheless, this field of research is still in its early stages, in particular with reference to short food supply chains (SFSCs). This research analyzed producers’ and consumers’ perception of the economic, social and environmental sustainability of two SFSCs of a specific quality of cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano PDO) placed in two different contexts: the first is a rural area in the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park mountains and the second is a peri-urban area in Parma surroundings, both in Italy. The case study also analyzed the carbon emissions of shopping for Parmigiano Reggiano at dairy shops. Qualitative and quantitative methodologies were employed to achieve the aims of the present study. For producers in both areas, the SFSC is a successful strategy to sell a part of their output in their own outlets, gain reputation, reduce costs and at the same time increase their levels of self-esteem. Product quality is the biggest factor attracting consumers to the outlet; moreover, it is associated with trust in the producers and the idea of combining “leisure with pleasure”. However, the environmental impact of the consumers’ purchase activities is a drawback.

Keywords: short food supply chain; sustainability; rural areas; peri–urban areas; Parmigiano Reggiano PDO (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (25)

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