Jakość w polskich alternatywnych sieciach żywnościowych. Analiza praktyk społecznych
Quality in Polish Alternative Food Networks – Social Practice Analysis

Summary/Abstract: The main goal of the article is to analyse social practices in Polish alternative food networks. Authors argue that food as a social phenomenon can have four social functions: stabilization, catalysis, mediation and separation. Social practices are understood as activities engaging meanings, practical knowledge and materiality. The analysis is based on qualitative research of five deliberately chosen food networks. Two research questions have been raised: 1) how the quality is being constructed in Polish alternative food networks and what social potential comes with it?; 2) are postproductivist values related to the construction of quality (as it is the case of alternative food networks in highly developed countries)? The main conclusions are: 1) the quality depends on the form of food network (the smaller network, the higher guarantee of quality); the construction of quality is based on verification practices and direct contact with the seller or producer; 2) the cultural patterns of the quality are based on neoruralistic and idyllic imaginations and on practices that embed production and consumption in the past; 3) Polish alternative food networks are specific because of theirs individualistic, family and non-community based character.

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