How growth of a local organic box scheme influenced supplying farmers

Abstract

Local food systems typically only involve a small amount of farmers and consumers. To analyse attempts to scale up local organic food systems, we explored a box scheme in Austria that had grown significantly, and interviewed 19 supplying farmers. Interviewees valued the way the products were marketed directly to consumers and the fair prices. The box scheme has managed growth by strengthening cooperation with larger vegetable farms and importers. Nevertheless, for the identity of the box scheme, small local producers were central.

Keywords: local food system, scaling-up, box scheme, organic agriculture, Austria