UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Sevoian, Noelle
Dept./Program:
Community Development and Applied Economics
Year:
2012
Degree:
M.S.
Abstract:
Farm to institution (FTI) is an effort which aims to increase the amount of locally grown fruits and vegetables supplied to institutions such as schools, colleges, hospitals, senior meal sites, and correctional facilities (Allen and Guthman, 2006; Kloppenburg, Wubben, and GTunes, 2008). FTI seeks to reverse two lingering problems, (a) the obesity epidemic and inadequate nutrition in the United States; and (b) the loss of farms in the United States. Developing a better understanding of FTI may help to progress FTI in order to alleviate obesity levels, increase nutrition served at schools, and help restore livelihood of farmers.
This study begins with a comprehensive review of the literature. In this literature review, we first describe the obesity epidemic in the United States. Secondly, the loss of mid-size farms in the United States is discussed. Thirdly, farm to institution (FTI) is defined and discussed as a way to alleviate these problems. Lastly, alternative food networks (AFNs), value-based supply chains, structuration theory, and social embeddedness are detailed, in order to aid in the analysis.
The second chapter uses structuration theory in order to analyze interviews with supply chain agents participating in Vermont-based FTI. Our findings identify factors enabling and constraining FTI organizing. We argue for the importance of effective organizational communication to.keep FTI efforts functioning, but more so to facilitate sha;red values and relationships.
In the third chapter, social embeddedness is used as a theoretical framework in order to see the semi-structured interviews of FTI supply chain agents in a new light. We argue that actors within the supply chain who display medium levels of both embeddedness and marketness are the most effective in terms of FTI organizing.
Overall, this study indicates how this information can add to scholarly literature and benefit FTI stakeholders in terms of solving the problems of obesity, inadequate nutrition and loss of farms.
This study begins with a comprehensive review of the literature. In this literature review, we first describe the obesity epidemic in the United States. Secondly, the loss of mid-size farms in the United States is discussed. Thirdly, farm to institution (FTI) is defined and discussed as a way to alleviate these problems. Lastly, alternative food networks (AFNs), value-based supply chains, structuration theory, and social embeddedness are detailed, in order to aid in the analysis.
The second chapter uses structuration theory in order to analyze interviews with supply chain agents participating in Vermont-based FTI. Our findings identify factors enabling and constraining FTI organizing. We argue for the importance of effective organizational communication to.keep FTI efforts functioning, but more so to facilitate sha;red values and relationships.
In the third chapter, social embeddedness is used as a theoretical framework in order to see the semi-structured interviews of FTI supply chain agents in a new light. We argue that actors within the supply chain who display medium levels of both embeddedness and marketness are the most effective in terms of FTI organizing.
Overall, this study indicates how this information can add to scholarly literature and benefit FTI stakeholders in terms of solving the problems of obesity, inadequate nutrition and loss of farms.