Short Food Supply Chain Toolkit
Building short, fair and resilient food supply chains.
Funded by Hinterland CLG | CEDRA Agri-Food Tourism Fund 2025
Why local food matters.
People are finding new ways to grow, share, and eat food that feels closer to home. Short supply chains aren’t just about proximity, they’re about connection, inclusion, fairness, and care for the land. By supporting small producers, local processors, community initiatives, and food sharing, we can strengthen both our food system and our sense of place.
This toolkit was created to help producers, community groups, and food actors to build shorter, fairer, and more resilient supply chains. It offers practical steps, templates, and examples for connecting in ways that support livelihoods, nourish communities, and protect the environment.
Three ways short supply chains strenghen food resilience.
Economic:
Keeps value in local hands by supporting small businesses, family farms, and local markets.
Environmental:
Reduces transport emissions and promotes land stewardship through sustainable production practices.
Social:
Builds trust, inclusion, and community connection through shared food culture and collaboration.
What is a short food supply chain?
A short food supply chain is one where food passes through as few hands as possible, often directly from producer to consumer, or just one or two intermediaries. It’s about keeping relationships close, ensuring fairness, and creating value where food is grown.
Across Europe, short supply chains are recognised as vital to sustainable food systems. They help farmers earn a fair price, give consumers access to fresh local produce, and reduce the distance (and emissions) between land and table.
Short supply chains can take many forms, from farm shops and community markets to direct restaurant supply and small cooperative networks. Each one contributes to a resilient, people-powered food system.
Common supply chain models
Farm Shop: Produce sold directly on-site where it’s grown or made, often combined with tastings, events, or workshops.
Farmers’ Market: Producers gather to sell directly to customers, building personal
relationships and community trust.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): Members subscribe to a farm’s harvest,
sharing both risks and rewards of each season.
Cooperative or Food Hub: Producers join forces to manage sales, marketing, or
delivery, keeping logistics local and efficient.
Online or Subscription Box: Digital tools connect consumers directly to multiple small producers for weekly or monthly deliveries.