1. New relations among producers and consumers in the Italian experiences Silvia Sivini Department of Political and Social Science Centre for Rural Studies University of Calabria (Italy) The social meaning of food Budapest 16-17 June 2015

2. Alternative Food Networks Sustainable practices of food production and consumption In opposition to the conventional agro-food system Many different practices that seem to share the idea that food can be an instrument to develop «collective social consciousness and social action” (Belasco 2007, p.17 cited in Follett 2009).

3. Critical consumption in Italy- GAS GAS are a social movement pursuing forms of solidarity economy (Mance 2003), moral economy (Scott 1979 ) Solidarity purchasing groups (GAS) When a "group of people decide to reflect on their consumption and to by products together, using as a guiding principle the concept of justice and solidarity, gives rise to a GAS. Purpose of a GAS is to buy goods and services trying to achieve a more humane conception of economy, this means more closer to the real needs of people and of the environment, formulating an ethics of consumption in a critical way that links people rather than divide them, that brings together time and resources instead of keeping them separate, which leads to the sharing instead of closing each in its own world (of consumption) "(GAS, 1999).

4. GAS Actualy more than 1000 groups all over Italy, more in northern urban/metropolitan areas 30/80 families each groups (Fonte, Salvioni, 2013) Usually informal groups Re-connection of production-consumption process Relationships among consumers and with farmers are based on ethical principles (solidarity, sustainability, equity)(Rossi, Brunori, 2013) Buy Organic but not always certificated Price are lower than bio products in supermarkets (30/40%) and in bio specialized shop (50%) (Fonte, Salvioni, 2013) Civic/social engagement through concrete actions A niche market but Fonte, Salvioni (2013) estimated in 8 milion euro for year the expenditure of 160 GAS operating in Rome

5. Specificity of GAS Proximity with farmers doesn’t means necessarily «spatial proximity» They seem to be not interested to the conventional narrative of local food They share ideas and interests related to an «other» life style Social relation, conviviality, ethical principles as elements that caracherize the research of a new model of production and consumption

6. 2 case studies on critical farmers

7. Galline felici consortium From «single» critical consumers Solidarity Purchasing Groups (GAS) From single «critical farmers» Galline Felici Consortium Established in 2007, 13 organic farms, 2 cooperatives (fisheries, pastry) that «sells» to GASs

8. Solidarity Economy Rural District Agricultural Park of South Milan Starts in 2008, promoted by an organic farm, a GAS, National network for solidarity economy (DES) In 2013 : 20 organic farms (certificated and not), more 40 GAS, association connected to ethical finance as Mag2, Banca Etica e CAES-Assicurazioni Etiche), 6 Municipalities and other actors and association connected to solidarity economy (Corrado, 2013) Scope: new relations among rural and urban areas of Milan Contrast soil consumption by urbanization promotes short chains Support local organic farmers Support conversion to organic Multifuncionality Agro-biodiversity conservation In opposition to monoculture (rice and grain) and intensive agriculture model (livestock farming)

9. Critical farmers Medium-high level of knowledge/ skills/ beginners Farmers as an existencial choice «Natural» production (organic, biodynamic, not necessarily certified) Attention to biodiversity (introducing /recovery typical production, seed production) Multifunctionality Pluriactivity Sells directly to consumers (GAS, farmer markets ecc) Crop diversification No exploit workers/immigrants Labour as expression of themself (the «freedom» of timing and mode of work) Use information technology Social relationship (both with farmers and consumers) are important Practice civic commitment Through collective action build new infrastructure that take place in the form of network s (Sivini, 2013

10. Network as a resistance strategy In the Centre-North this world of solidarity economy has been developed for certain needs and for the awareness of some groups of consumers, mainly in big cities. Here in the south all this movement was born around the production more than consumption. Then, from the farmers needs that are not only to eat good, healthy food.. But are needs related to the possibilities to survive.. For us get into this type of relationships makes the difference between remaining to be farmer or have to find other (Sicily farmer)..We can change our history by acting collectively....Farmers alone can do nothing, but the complicity, the alliance with consumers, with those who eat gives us the opportunity to change this system "(Focus Apulia) …

11. Network characteristic Relationships are based on mutual trust I came out from isolation.. I exchange emails, thoughts, emotions, projects with a growing number of people.. with whom with I share a strong feeling (Li Calzi,2010) Through this instrument.. Many relationships and strong ties have been established.. between the lines of the orders we talked about many things.. (Roberto letter to GAS, 2005)

12. Network characteristic Cooperation..we offer our experience and our enthusiasm to support the birth of other similar initiatives, because we believe there is a lot of space (Roberto letter to GAS 2005) It makes a big difference for farmers to stay and wait for a buyer …or know that a network of consumaTTori (co- producers) is waiting for the products of your work and follows the weather forecast (beginning to understand why).... In short… the difference between feeling alone among wolves and feel nodes of a single plot!

13. Networks characteristic Solidarity “..Are you willing to pre-finance the purchase of these products?.. The first three thousand euros arrived fifteen minutes after I sent the email…I collected thirty thousand euro for Arcolaio. This tells me many things: there is a strong relationship …with these people.. It tells me how different it is to be in an economic reality as monads, in fight with everyone or being in this context where the problem of Arcolaio became a problem first of all the “Galline Felici” and immediately... a problem of a dense network throughout Italy.. (Roberto)

14. Network characteristics Exchange of information, services (eg Logistic), knowledge Relevant the role of internet Labour is not exploitation "Working without selling the consciousness.. working doing things that are coherent with your expectations, your ideals

15. Network characteristics Fair Price “You can not take the price in the “normal” market as a reference..it is incomparable…we make a list of the prices at the beginning of the year …. While in the conventional market prices varies day by day "(Roberto) Fair Price «allows small farmers to gain a sufficient income but also allows a sufficient amount of population to buy organic food» (Fonte, Salvioni, 2013,p.97)

16. Network characteristic Pragmatic actions « We are very interested to export models, setting up models that works.. based on solidarity,... we try to make things concrete, maybe small.. whatever it is.. is concrete, tangible, and not only worlds, workshops congress… (Sicily-farmer) “.. I joined the GAS, because I believe that we can not have political ideas without implementing them in concrete choices of life "( Sivini, 2008)

17. Network characteristics In the North case study networks are intensive (Cavazzani, 2013) – reinforcing local nodes and establishing connection with other local networks. In the South case study networks are extensive (Cavazzani, 2013), - connection with other experiences already operating in other territories (GAS) and then reinforce the territorial relation with local nodes

18. Network effects An opportunity for farmers to overcome squeeze on agriculture (Ploeg, 2008) Getting directly to the consumers, …, have been for me the beginning of a new phase and the hope that I can remain in my farm “ (calabria, farmer) The difference states in closing the farm and abandon the fields or in be able to say "Very well, I am a farmer and I can live of this work” (sicilian farmer)

19. Network effects Process of sharing and collective learning New public discourse on food Quality of food is evaluated not looking to the external features (dimension, appearance, color) but for their taste and their «symbolic» and «relational» features (high quality and high ideals; it was a big step for me, because finally someone was recognizing the quality of the product. In the past, traders never tasted my oranges.. for them it wasn’t important that they were good, just they have to be large and immaculate. No products waste

20. Network effects Innovative projects are implemented (eg. re- build production chains; Promotion of “Do it right cinefest” - stories from everyday life about living together in an ethical, sustainable, and ecological way; Sponsor of a rugby team operating in a slum of Catania)

21. Network effects Social /civic commitment I think we need to broaden our horizons, trying to connect all the networks, showing to all the people in Italy and outside Italy that another way of doing things can be possible …social justice, legality all these needs can be fulfill (sicily) “.. we all build a different future, or... We really need to do these "gentle revolution "... where the whole scale of values ​​is reconsidered.. we have to take time to relationships, to touch and to look at each other, to eat together with whom we are dealing for an economic affair.. if we can have economic relationships in a richer picture of relationships it seems to me that our lives will change "(Sicily ).

22. Network effects New vision of “development” "In the capitalistic economy, the tendency is to reduce all costs to a minimum, somehow ignoring all that is around us, all values ​​etc.. (.....). In our logic is not like this … so labour, happiness, wellbeing becomes values ​​and you, consumers, have a broader vision and evaluate that, for example, my wellbeing, as a producer, has to be considered" "Being able to set up an economy where people earn the right …- sobriety, …of course - and you can feel good in doing what you are doing...”

23. Agency The actors have agency, that is the capacity to process social collective experience and to implement autonomous projects accordingly (Ploeg 2008). The network can be interpreted as a product of their own historical collective action. The agents are able to change their dynamics with respect to events that they themselves create. It seems... that all these things are utopias, that is not feasible staff. In reality, the moment when a guy can hold together the possibility to maintain himself.. And to practice his ideals.. His ideas of a new societies where values are different.. It seems to me very interesting... I think we have open this perspective …(Roberto)

24. Thank you Thank you! silvia.sivini@unical.it