Alternative food networks, alternative logistics? Analysis of transport services dedicated to short and local food supply chains ; Circuits alternatifs, logistique alternative ? Analyse des offres de transport dédiées aux circuits alimentaires courts et de proximité

International audience ; The production systems that sell in short and local food supply chains (SFCS) are part of what are known as « alternative food networks » (Renting, Marsden, Banks, 2003). They are described as alternative because of their position in relation to the dominant model of food production, from which they are trying to break away. These alternative productions systems formulate what Le Velly (2017) calls "promises of differences", which relate to production methods but also result in changes to commercial channels, which are themselves likely to modify supply chains. However, there is currently little research to support this. What are the promises of logistical differences in these production systems? Are these principles the prerogative of an ecosystem of SFCS players? What do current transport and logistics services reveal about the alternative nature of these supply chains? To answer these questions, we rely on exploratory surveys with logistics service providers involved in the transport of food products marketed in SFCS. We analyse the views of national or international transport groups, and then of companies that have set up their business to serve SFCS players. We show that the aims of the national or international groups surveyed are most often far removed from the SFCS issues, but that they indicate a form of interest in local food supply chains and a range of possibilities. The adapted offer, on the other hand, is built around two different objectives: logistics support for farmers and producers as a driving force for development of SFCS, or the massification of flows at city entrances as a driver for the development of local food systems. We show that the compagnies surveyed modify the rules for organising flows in different ways, and we illustrate cases where rules have been abandoned in the construction of the projects. In conclusion, we discuss the value of talking about "alternative logistics", as a contribution from the transport and logistics sector to the transition, beyond ...