Alternative Food Networks gain increasing importance in sustainability transitions of food production, retail, and consumption. This paper explores the role of AFN consumers as critical food sustainability change agents, with a special focus on low-income consumers. It challenges preconceived notions that associate sustainable living exclusively with affluent communities, highlighting the substantial influence of economically disadvantaged individuals in shaping sustainable food consumption patterns. Based on a survey of the Portuguese cooperative, the paper examines how perceived income affects sustainable food values, decisions, and practices. Results highlight low-income consumers' significant, yet often overlooked, role in driving changes towards environmentally responsible food systems and practices. This research shifts the focus of sustainability change agency, underscoring the critical role of diverse, particularly financially disadvantaged, consumer groups in championing sustainability in the food sector. It also confirms the importance of AFNs and their members as critical transition stakeholders.

中文翻译：

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Fruta Feia 合作社：研究收入对可持续价值和替代食品网络消费者代理的影响


替代食品网络在食品生产、零售和消费的可持续转型中变得越来越重要。本文探讨了 AFN 消费者作为关键食品可持续性变革推动者的作用，特别关注低收入消费者。它挑战了将可持续生活仅与富裕社区联系在一起的先入为主的观念，强调了经济弱势群体在塑造可持续食品消费模式方面的重大影响。基于对葡萄牙合作社的调查，本文探讨了感知收入如何影响可持续食品价值观、决策和实践。研究结果凸显了低收入消费者在推动对环境负责的食品系统和实践变革方面发挥着重要但经常被忽视的作用。这项研究转移了可持续发展变革机构的重点，强调了多元化、特别是经济弱势的消费者群体在倡导食品行业可持续发展方面的关键作用。它还证实了 AFN 及其成员作为关键转型利益相关者的重要性。