Close to the plate: Sustaining short food supply chains | Quae

From the field to the table, food products follow various paths. Among these, short supply chains are increasingly popular among certain audiences. Who are these buyers tempted by alternatives to traditional sales? What kind of relationships do they have with producers? What are the essential tools and actors that can enrich this commercial relationship, based on trust and proximity? How can the diversity of profiles and approaches that make up this often engaged approach be channeled? What advantages do they represent for the valorization of local resources? This work, abundantly illustrated with photos and scientific documents, provides a fresh perspective on ongoing reflections and the multiplicity of configurations supported by short supply chains. Emerging from the collective project LIPROCO, it brings together and cross-references the expertise of researchers and specialists from sociology, geography, and economics. With examples, it explains why mastering organizational complexity is a significant challenge for professionals, farmers, and intermediary actors, and a key factor in the development and sustainability of these initiatives.