Greece
Description
In Central Macedonia, specifically around the Katerini area, cherry and vegetable farmers operate within short food supply chains, primarily serving local consumers. This model helps keep fresh produce accessible and affordable but can limit the scalability of local agriculture.
Challenge
Farmers in this region need more robust infrastructure and networking opportunities to increase local distribution while competing with imported products. Limited support for small-scale producers puts pressure on these farmers to remain competitive without compromising their traditional practices or economic viability.
Solutions
MED-LINKS project activities engaged local producers/stakeholders in the MED-LINKS platform, informing them about its potential, uses, and functionalities. Moreover, the activities performed involved familiarization of local stakeholders with the meaning and value of new, alternative, business models and voluntary sustainability standards that can be used. As a result of these activities some stakeholders began to use the platform, while local producers developed networking ties, thus increasing social cohesion between them and reforming social infrastructure. The main impacts on smallholders include the adoption of the platform, the enhancement of local farmers’ knowledge on business models and voluntary sustainability schemes, the creation of new and the enhancement of already existing social networks.