Values-Based Food Supply Chain Case Studies

These publications are part of a series of case studies and Research Briefs examining values-based food supply chains—strategic business alliances formed between primarily midsize farms/ranches and their supply chain partners. Values-based food supply chains distribute significant volumes of high-quality, differentiated food products and share the rewards equitably. Farmers and ranchers function as strategic partners rather than easily replaced input suppliers. All participants in these business alliances recognize that creating maximum value for the product depends on significant interdependence, collaboration and mutual support.

• Values-based food supply chains: An introduction to nine case studies
• Values-based food supply chains: Strategies for agri-food enterprises of the middle
• Values-based food suppy chains: Program participation and policy changes
• Using values-based food supply chain case studies in university classes
• Values-based food supply chains: Cross-case observations

Case studies: Multi-farm direct-to-wholesale food business chains

Country Natural Beef

• Case Study
• Research Brief

Organic Valley

• Case Study
• Research Brief

Shepherd’s Grain

• Case Study
• Research Brief

Red Tomato

• Case Study
• Research Brief

Case studies: Multi-farm direct-to-consumer business chains

Co-op Partners Warehouse

• Case Study
• Research Brief

Full Circle

• Case Study
• Research Brief

Home Grown Wisconsin

• Case Study
• Research Brief

Good Earth Farms

• Case Study
• Research Brief

Idaho’s Bounty

• Case Study
• Research Brief

These publications were produced as part of the national Agriculture of the Middle initiative. “Agriculture of the Middle” refers to a disappearing sector of mid-scale farms/ranches and related agrifood enterprises that are unable to successfully market bulk commodities or sell food directly to consumers. For more information, visit www.agofthemiddle.org.

The case study research team includes:

• Kate Clancy, University of Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture
• Robert P. King, University of Minnesota Department of Applied Economics
• Larry Lev, Oregon State University Department of Applied Economics
• Marcia Ostrom, Washington State University Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources
• G.W. Stevenson, UW-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems