VALUE CHAIN COORDINATION COLUMN: Turning supply chains into value chains

JAFSCD is delighted to share this inaugual column on the topic of value chain coordination. We define VCC as the development of relational infrastructure—networks, information channels, and partnerships—that support thriving and sustainable regional food economies. JAFSCD also announces a new series of program, policy, and practice briefs focused on value chain coordination This series aims to synthesize the current knowledge on coordinating values-based food supply chains into concise, high-impact, practitioner-focused briefs. The series and associated articles are being curated by a JAFSCD Value Chain Coordination Editorial Circle made up of the scholars and practitioners below, who will also jointly produce this quarterly column. • Kathryn Barr, Associate, SupplyChange • Patrick Baur, Associate Professor, University of Rhode Island • Analena Bruce, Assistant Professor, University of New Hampshire • Andrew Carberry, Project Manager, Wallace Center at Winrock International • Eric DeLuca, Consultant, Food Finance Institute • Laura Edwards-Orr, Senior Agricultural Marketing Specialist, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, Local and Regional Food Division • Anaya Hall, Postdoctoral Scholar, The Food Connection at the University of Kentucky • Heather (“H”) Nieto-Friga, CEO, SupplyChange • Ashton Potter, Executive Director, The Food Connection at the University of Kentucky • Elliott Smith, Consultant, Kitchen Sync Strategies • Jodee Smith, Executive Director, FARMWISE Indiana • Ye Su, Assistant Professor, Lincoln University of Missouri • Dawn Thilmany, Professor, Colorado State University • Kamran Zendehdel, Research Branch Chief, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, Local and Regional Food Division *  *  * At a moment when food systems stakeholders are navigating supply chain disruption, market consolidation, and increasing climate-driven risk, questions of how best to retain or expand benefits for small and midsize farms and food businesses are increasingly urgent. Across various geographies and markets, value chain coordination (VCC) has emerged as a critical lever for addressing these challenges. In this inaugural column, we introduce VCC—a concept that bridges many concerns of JAFSCD readers—and suggest a few topics the series may address. We also provide some context on the first brief, which focuses on how VCC offers a pathway to address challenges associated with institutional purchasing and harness this strategic opportunity to support regional and sustain­able food producers.