The impacts of food chains. Are Alternative Food Networks sustainable?

Amidst the call for sustainable food supply chains, Alternative Food Networks (AFNs) have emerged as alternatives to traditional Large-Scale Retail (LSR), striving to promote a more sustainable food system. Research has primarily delved into the importance of local food in AFNs, while there is a significant dearth of research on assessing their environmental sustainability. This paper aims to address this aspect by analysing the impacts of AFNs in comparison to LSR, focusing on energy demand and climate change emissions, based on a life cycle approach. The analysis is framed in a wide Italian project called ONFOODS, processing data from selected stakeholders for AFNs, while relying on bibliographic research for LSR. Then, other aspects concurring to sustainability of AFNs are assessed by qualitative evaluations. The study also provides useful insights for policy development and strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing sustainability and decarbonization in the food sector