Unpacking Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs). A Systematic Classification of Existing Initiatives

Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs) are garnering increased attention across the EU due to their potential to deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits, contributing to the transition toward sustainable food systems. Attempting to classify the diverse array of SFSC models and initiatives into fixed categories proves to be challenging and almost futile. Building on Chap. 2 , this Chapter aims to address the following questions: ‘In the absence of a legal definition, what is the relevance of the existing initiatives, and why should their inherent heterogeneity be duly considered?’ To answer these questions, a preliminary assessment of existing initiatives is undertaken. The chapter explores how SFSCs are classified by the literature, the criteria used for classification, and how they differ from concepts such as Local Food Systems (LFSs) and Alternative Food Networks (AFNs). The categorisation of the existing initiatives is an attempt to systematically capture the multifaceted structure of SFSCs. While not exhaustive, the Chapter also offers a brief overview of the existing knowledge in the literature regarding the social, economic, and environmental impact of SFSCs. The Chapter concludes by underlining the obstacles that currently impede the development of SFSC initiatives and emphasises the necessity of establishing a policy framework that fosters dialogue toward a more holistic approach to their regulation.