The FoodMapp project: exploring possibilities of promoting local food distribution and provision through digital tools.
Authors: Michaud, M., Le Moal, F., Van Parys, E., De Steur, H., Bray, J., Rahmani, D., Lešić, V., Tarcsi, Á. and Ronge, B.
Conference: European Sociological Association
Dates: 27-30 August 2024
Abstract:FoodMapp is a European funded applied research project aiming at promoting short food supply chains through the development of a digital platform. The results presented here come from the qualitative part of this study, based on an investigation with consumers and stakeholders across five countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Spain, England). Five focus groups were led with consumers in each country and 50 interviews conducted with stakeholders across the different countries. The data was analysed according to a thematical analysis approach. Key drivers and barriers toward the adoption of digital solutions for improving short food supply chain and provisioning were identified. The results also provided insight into the multidimensional and heterogeneous definition of what “short supply chain” or “local food” mean for the different stakeholders. This definition helps understand, in particular, why both stakeholders and consumers perceive many barriers to the use of digital tools in the consumption of sustainable food, especially because digital tools are perceived as being somewhat an antithesis to local food provisioning and waste reduction practices. This research also has theoretical implications in studies of consumption as it allows to investigate the balance between cultural and social differences in European consumers and stakeholders' habits.
Source: Manual