"Food Village": An Innovative Alternative Food Network Based on Human Scale Development Economic Model

Area of Science:

• Sustainable food systems
• Supply chain innovation
• Community-based economics

Background:

• Alternative food networks (AFNs) show global growth but remain niche.
• Limitations in AFN structure and governance hinder large-scale adoption.
• Existing food supply chains often conflict with community and ecological needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and apply a design method for a scalable, sustainable food supply chain.
• To develop a model addressing stakeholder needs within the food system.
• To create an alternative food network model beyond current economic paradigms.

Main Methods:

• Utilized theoretical frameworks: Civil Economy (CE), Economy for the Common Good (ECG), and Development on a Human Scale (H-SD).
• Employed Max-Neef's Needs Matrix and Design Thinking (DT) tools for model development.
• Applied the design method specifically to the food supply chain context.

Main Results:

• Developed a novel food supply chain model named the "Food Village."
• The "Food Village" concept is designed to be community-centric and eco-sustainable.
• The model aims to overcome limitations hindering the scalability of current AFNs.

Conclusions:

• The proposed design method enables the creation of scalable and sustainable food supply chains.
• The "Food Village" offers a viable alternative to conventional economic mechanisms in food distribution.
• This model fosters community engagement and prioritizes eco-sustainability for broader impact.