{"title":"Spatial proximity in ‘local’ Alternative Food Networks: a case study of AMAP in France","authors":"Juliette Benedetti, Alessandro Araldi","doi":"10.1016/j.apgeog.2024.103401","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This paper explores the emerging paradigm of alternative food networks (AFN), with a focus on AMAP (Association pour le Maintien de l’Agriculture Paysanne) in France as a case study. Delving into the multifaceted concept of spatial proximity within such networks, this paper explores three hypotheses drawn from literature on the spatiality of AFN, analyzing both ‘local’ distances variability and the characteristics of agricultural and urban contexts where such local-based AFN take place. Methodologically, the study leverages an original, manually compiled database at a national scale encompassing AMAP producers and distribution points. Specific analytical protocols are developed combining traditional geographical approaches with machine learning techniques. Key findings reveal the influence of both population density and agricultural land availability on the distances between producers and selling locations. Moreover, the study discerns that the nature of products and their processing levels significantly shapes 'local' distances. Additionally, the paper offers insights into distinctive features of the morphological landscape associated with AMAP producers. These findings may serve as a catalyst for future inquiries into the spatial dynamics and potential spatial configurations of alternative food networks.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":48396,"journal":{"name":"Applied Geography","volume":"171 ","pages":"Article 103401"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0000,"publicationDate":"2024-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0143622824002066/pdfft?md5=2322f3292bdc29ec83312cff86e48139&pid=1-s2.0-S0143622824002066-main.pdf","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Applied Geography","FirstCategoryId":"89","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0143622824002066","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"GEOGRAPHY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This paper explores the emerging paradigm of alternative food networks (AFN), with a focus on AMAP (Association pour le Maintien de l’Agriculture Paysanne) in France as a case study. Delving into the multifaceted concept of spatial proximity within such networks, this paper explores three hypotheses drawn from literature on the spatiality of AFN, analyzing both ‘local’ distances variability and the characteristics of agricultural and urban contexts where such local-based AFN take place. Methodologically, the study leverages an original, manually compiled database at a national scale encompassing AMAP producers and distribution points. Specific analytical protocols are developed combining traditional geographical approaches with machine learning techniques. Key findings reveal the influence of both population density and agricultural land availability on the distances between producers and selling locations. Moreover, the study discerns that the nature of products and their processing levels significantly shapes 'local' distances. Additionally, the paper offers insights into distinctive features of the morphological landscape associated with AMAP producers. These findings may serve as a catalyst for future inquiries into the spatial dynamics and potential spatial configurations of alternative food networks.
期刊介绍:
Applied Geography is a journal devoted to the publication of research which utilizes geographic approaches (human, physical, nature-society and GIScience) to resolve human problems that have a spatial dimension. These problems may be related to the assessment, management and allocation of the world physical and/or human resources. The underlying rationale of the journal is that only through a clear understanding of the relevant societal, physical, and coupled natural-humans systems can we resolve such problems. Papers are invited on any theme involving the application of geographical theory and methodology in the resolution of human problems.