Title: Social-ecological systems and social innovations regarding fruits and vegetables supply chains – case study of the Brazilian social enterprise Sumá

Authors: Lucas Mendes Oliveira; Luciel Henrique de Oliveira

Addresses: Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Padre Cletus Francis Cox Avenue, 1661, Poços de Caldas, MG, 37714-620, Brazil ' Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Padre Cletus Francis Cox Avenue, 1661, Poços de Caldas, MG, 37714-620, Brazil

Abstract: Approximately 70% of the food consumed in Brazil comes from family farming, mainly composed of small farmers. Small farmers are especially active in the fruits and vegetables (FV) chains in Brazil and were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to the degradation in the country's food security. This paper explores how social innovation in the FV sector can contribute to social-ecological systems resilience and supply chain resilience, using as the main theoretical background the adaptive cycle framework. The article was based on documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews, exploring the FV sector issues at a macro-level and then focusing on the case study of Sumá, a social enterprise from Southern Brazil. Sumá develops small farmers and connects them to regular food purchasers in small towns, promoting sustainable food systems. This case study stands out as an example of how to identify, evaluate and take advantage of market opportunities and public sector gaps in order to generate economic growth and multidimensional social impact.

Keywords: supply chain; Sustainable Development Goals; SDGs; resilience; Brazil; adaptive cycle.

DOI: 10.1504/LAJMSD.2022.129504

Latin American Journal of Management for Sustainable Development, 2022 Vol.5 No.4, pp.321 - 347

Received: 25 Feb 2022
Accepted: 19 Sep 2022
Published online: 10 Mar 2023 *

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