Farmers Markets, Local Food Systems and the Social Economy: A Thematic Literature Review

Abstract

Alternative food systems, often drawing heavily on local and ‘embedded’ markets, have emerged as a response to the dissipating connection between food systems and ecological systems brought about by the globalization trend. These alternatives seek to re-establish direct links between producers and consumers and to re-establish some control over a food system that has become distant and anonymous. This literature review examines the role of farmers markets in these alternative food systems as discussed in the literature. It is one component of a wider research initiative on farmers markets conducted by the BC-Alberta Social Economy Research Alliance (BALTA).