Introduction to Part III: AFNs from the Producers’ Viewpoint

After illustrating the long-term trends that led to the birth of AFNs, this chapter discusses producers’ participation in AFNs, their motivations and behaviour. The most obvious motivation for producers’ participation in AFNs is arguably income, but subjective preferences and social and environmental motivations can play a role. Their coexistence and the social interplay among participants are addressed by three studies presented in the chapter. One analyses the objective and observable variables favouring direct sales by farmers, their subjective motivations and the effects of participation on the farm setting. The second examines how the operation of Solidarity Purchase Groups is based on members’ voluntary work. The third assesses producers’ strategies in setting quality and prices within the social relationships in a farmer market.