Who Connects the Links? Understanding Roles and Impacts of Value Chain Coordination in Place Based Development

Values based supply chains (VBSCs) have been identified as a promising framework for the development of small and mid-scale producers, farms that represent the disappearing Agriculture of the Middle (AOTM). In the past... [ view full abstract ]

Values based supply chains (VBSCs) have been identified as a promising framework for the development of small and mid-scale producers, farms that represent the disappearing Agriculture of the Middle (AOTM). In the past decade, public and private partners have put concerted efforts towards value chain development as strategies for strengthening local and regional food systems.  While early efforts focused on food hub development and support for hard infrastructure such as aggregation, packing and distribution facilities, more recently there has been a growing recognition of the importance of ‘soft’ or social infrastructure as a key component to successful development. This shift is based in the belief that individuals and organizations embedded within communities play a critical role in networking, matchmaking, and providing technical assistance and resources to current and prospective members of local and regional food value chains. This research is centered around the emergent FoodLINC Initiative (Leveraging Investments through Network Coordination), a federal and private partnership offering funding and training for value chain coordinators (VCCs) in 14 pilot communities across the U.S. Using a mixed methods approach, integrating qualitative data and a novel use of Social Network Analysis, this research examines the roles, functions and impacts that VCCs have on value chain development in their respective communities.  This paper adds insight to the theoretical concept of embeddedness, exploring ways in which VCCs draw from and reinforce the social infrastructure that undergirds local markets.  Finally, this paper makes inquiry to the trajectories of legitimization and professionalization, exploring to what extent value chain coordination may be on the path to becoming one of the newest formalized professions in the food system space, acknowledging challenges and possibilities therein.