Food supply chain approaches: Exploring their role in rural development

This paper explores the role of short food supply chains in rural developme nt, By developing a theoretical perspective, it seeks to contribute to deba tes on the generalized theory of rural development. It argues that in order to more fully understand their role and potential we need to move beyond d escriptions of product flows to examine how supply chains are built, shaped and reproduced over time and space. Consideration is given to the definiti on of short food supply chains, and a three level typology is presented. Th e paper examines the dimensions and evolution of short food supply chains, and identifies four types of evolution: temporal, spa tial, demand and asso ciational or institutional. Case studies from the IMPACT research programme are positioned within this framework. and it is argued that we need concep tualizations that reflect the dynamic and evolutionary nature of supply cha ins and the businesses they involve. A case study of the Llyn Beef Producer s Go-operative in Wales is expanded to illustrate the evolution of supply c hains and their role in rural development, both at the farm level and withi n the wider rural economy.