The role of certification and coordination in local food value chains

This project focused on local food systems (LFS), both in emerging and high-income economies. It included a literature review on claims surrounding LFS (which was published in Agricultural Systems), and three case studies. The case studies look at certification and coordination in fresh vegetable value chains in Belgium, Vietnam and Peru, with a focus on farmers’ perspective and reduction of pesticides. More specifically, the project explored whether participatory guarantee systems (PGS), i.e. an internal-control certification mechanism guaranteeing safe and sustainable production practices, may be able to improve farmers’ access to the local market under beneficial conditions. 

This PhD project was carried out by Laura Enthoven (2019-2023) and received funding from FSR Seed-Fund and FRIA.

Project Publications

Enthoven, L., Van Duy, L., Van den Broeck, G., 2025. Certification in local food value chains: panel data evidence from the vegetable sector in Vietnam. Food Security. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-025-01562-4. 

Enthoven, L., Skambracks, M., Van Den Broeck, G., 2023. Improving the design of local short food supply chains: Farmers’ views in Wallonia, Belgium. Journal of Rural Studies 97, 573–582. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2023.01.016

Enthoven, L., Van Den Broeck, G., 2023. How to boost the local trade of participatory guarantee system (PGS)-certified produce? A value chain perspective in Huánuco, Peru. Ecological Economics 212, 107929. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2023.107929

Enthoven, L., Van Den Broeck, G., 2021a. Promoting Food Safety in Local Value Chains: The Case of Vegetables in Vietnam. Sustainability 13, 6902. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126902

Enthoven, L., Van Den Broeck, G., 2021b. Local food systems: Reviewing two decades of research. Agricultural Systems 193, 103226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2021.103226