AFNs are defined in four major ways: (1) by shorter
distances between producers and consumers; (2) by small
farm size and scale and organic or holistic farming
methods, which are contrasted with large scale, industrial
agribusiness; (3) by the existence of food purchasing venues
such as food cooperatives, farmers markets, and CSA and
local food-to-school linkages;2 (4) by a commitment to the
social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable food production, distribution and consumption. The
first attribute defines AFNs in terms of shorter distances
between where food is grown and where it is purchased and
eaten. Farmers in AFNs grow food in proximity to people
buying and eating the food they grow (La Trobe and Acott,
2000; O’Hara and Stagle, 2001; Renting et al., 2003). AFNs
minimize transport distances, oil consumption and bypass
middlemen in the distribution chain. This form of direct
marketing allows farmers to capture and keep more profit,