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Collective purchase: Moving local and organic foods beyond the niche market

Little, Ruth; Maye, Damian; Ilbery, Brian

Authors

Ruth Little

Damian Maye

Brian Ilbery



Abstract

The authors draw attention to the creative possibilities offered by collective purchase as a mechanism to move local and organic foods beyond the niche market. The food-buying group and cooperative style of food purchasing has received only scant reference in the alternative food and ethical consumption literatures, but it offers much in terms of historical context and future lessons for growth in the sector. 'We can do it better' is an experimental ethic of the 1960s and 1970s counterculture, but it resonates strongly with the present-day 'alternatives' associated with the local and organic food movement. The authors use Gibson-Graham's notion of 'diverse economies' to examine selected buying groups and food cooperatives in North America, Europe, and Japan. The results reveal a highly pixilated and evolving mix of motivations and ethics. The 'ideology first, practicalities later' approach appears to be a powerful influence, symbolising the 'becomingness' of ethical purchasing in these contexts. © 2010 Pion Ltd and its Licensors.

Citation

Little, R., Maye, D., & Ilbery, B. (2010). Collective purchase: Moving local and organic foods beyond the niche market. Environment and Planning A, 42(8), 1797-1813. https://doi.org/10.1068/a4262

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Oct 8, 2010
Journal Environment and Planning A
Print ISSN 0308-518X
Electronic ISSN 1472-3409
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 42
Issue 8
Pages 1797-1813
DOI https://doi.org/10.1068/a4262
Keywords food buying groups, food cooperatives, alternative food networks, alternative economies
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/986406
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1068/a4262


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