Giorgio Fabbri, Paolo Melindi-Ghidi, pp. 37 p.
Abstract
The transition towards a sustainable food system requires comprehensive changes in food production and consumption, shaped by the interplay of public policy, market forces, and cultural norms. We develop a model to analyse the role of sustainable food culture in shaping consumption choices, particularly in terms of purchasing from short food supply chains. The model accounts not only for the heterogeneity of preferences and their evolution but also for the heterogeneity of incomes. This allows for a discussion of the effectiveness of policies fostering sustainable food consumption choices, considering their varying impacts across income levels. The results suggest that if policy makers seek to promote a sustainable food system, public policies must be carefully designed, as their effects can be uncertain and may impact low-income households.
Keywords
Culture, Sustainable food, Short food supply chain, Income distribution