Identifying the Diversity of Alternative Food Networks: Exploring Consumer- Producer Relationships and Consumer Involvement Practices A multiple case study on AFN categorisation, its underlying dimensions and forms of consumer involvement in Oldenburg, Germany Katharina Prause MSc. Thesis Rural Sociology University of Wageningen Identifying the Diversity of Alternative Food Networks: Exploring Consumer- Producer Relationships and Consumer Involvement Practices A multiple case study on AFN categorisation, its underlying dimensions and forms of consumer involvement in Oldenburg, Germany 28 June 2016 Wageningen University – Department of Social Science MSc. Program: MSc. Organic Agriculture Specialisation: Consumer and Market MSc. Thesis Rural Sociology Thesis Code: RSO-80436 Registration number: 900217670040 Student: Katharina Prause E-Mail:
[email protected] Supervisor: Dr.ir. D. Roep Examiner: Prof.dr.ir. J.S.C. Wiskerke MSc. Thesis Abstract The heterogeneity of alternative food networks is increasing. First generation AFNs are linked to direct sales, whereas second generation AFNs focus more on the consumer roles within AFNs. Those AFNs can be categorised in many ways based on different theories and characteristics. Over time AFNs evolve and adapt and it is questionable if those categories still apply. Therefore the aim of this thesis is to investigate AFNs in order to gain more insight in AFN categorisation. This thesis seeks to find an answer on how consumer-producer relationships in operational AFNs in Oldenburg can be categorised. This is done by an inventory, a preliminary categorisation, an in-depth analysis of AFN characteristics based on interviews and observations and a final cate- gorisation. It is complemented with an exploration of the underlying dimensions ‘proxi- mity’, ‘type of interaction’ and ‘type of exchange’ as well as consumer involvement practices within AFNs in Oldenburg.