The complex force field of traditional food systems: scoping the scene

• Author(s): Noronha, Teresa de ; Nijkamp, Peter
• Date: 2008
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/4328
• Origin: Sapientia - Universidade do Algarve
• Document Type: Part of book or chapter of book
• Language: English
• Editor(s): Noronha, Teresa de; Nijkamp, Peter; Rastoin, J. L.

Description

Europe has many market niches where traditional forms of production are still dominant. The geographic variety of Europe certainly stimulates the existence of diverse niches with a clear local colour and identity. Even in the age of mass production and consumption such pockets of often place-bound products have not disappeared. Rather, they are enjoying a comeback, as the public at large is increasingly looking for goods with indigenous or specific qualities. Traditional production modes – as one of the valuable legacies from the past that are socially and economically active throughout history – appear to have a strong chance of survival. History was responsible for generating several – currently – low-tech activities whose survivors still have a place, albeit sometimes modest, in our contemporary society. This holds in particular for the food sector, which has gained much popularity in recent years.