Table of Contents

Table of Contents.............................................................................................................. 3
Executive Summary.......................................................................................................... 4
Background and Context for the Study........................................................................ 6
Introduction............................................................................................................ 6

Overall Context for the Emergence of Short Food Supply Chains................... 6

Categorising Short Food Supply Chains.............................................................. 7

Current Interest in Short Food Supply Chains Amongst Irish Farmers................ 8

Research Aims and Methodology................................................................................. 10

Methodology......................................................................................................... 10
Findings and Analysis...................................................................................................... 11
Profile of Participating Households and Operators, Motivation
and Short Food Supply Chain Activities.............................................................. 11
Benefits, Challenges and Skills Associated with Short Food Supply
Chain Activity......................................................................................................... 20

The Environment in Which Short Food Supply Chain Activities Operate.......... 24

Plans for Future Involvement in Short Food Supply Chains................................ 28

Conclusions, Lessons Learned and Recommendations............................................ 30

Recommendations Specific to the Rural Development Programme............... 32

References......................................................................................................................... 35
Appendix 1........................................................................................................................ 37