Suchergebnisse

In this article, the authors analyze emerging alternative food networks (AFNs) in Poland—that is, newly established consumer cooperatives—focusing on how the networks' members perceive food and the space of its production. This analysis leads to reflection on the division that exists in the subject literature between "northern" and "southern" AFNs. The authors argue that this division does not capture the complex situation of Central and Eastern Europe's postsocialist countries. While one type of Polish cooperative—identified as "activist"—resembles "northern" AFNs in some respects, the "consumption-oriented" cooperatives evince many features of the "southern" type. It is argued that both types of cooperatives are built according to Western patterns, but there is an underlying understanding of food quality that defines their actual relations with producers and consumer choices, and this has much in common with the informal food networks prevalent during the socialist period. Therefore, alternative food networks in postsocialist countries require a new interpretation that may change the overall categorization of AFNs.

AbstractThis article aims to contribute to the existing studies on the influence of interest groups on agricultural policies. The goal of the article is to assess the tangible and intangible resources of farmers' associations in Poland, as well as the channels they use to influence agricultural policy. With this aim, an interdisciplinary model based on exchange theory was elaborated. The article draws on two empirical sources: first, in‐depth interviews with leaders; and secondly, a survey with members of these organisations. According to the leaders, farmers' associations may influence agricultural policy only to a small degree. This results from their insufficient resources, especially those that are useful for politicians (e.g., expert knowledge). The second obstacle stems from the lack of unity and cooperation between these associations. However, members of farmers' organisations paint a very different picture of farmers' organisations: regardless of the type of organisation they belong to, they perceive it as very active and well‐endowed with tangible and intangible resources.