This study takes a grower-centric perspective to investigate the degree to which social considerations drive distribution practices among food producers who distribute locally (within Athens, Georgia). Through the use of observation and semi-structured interview with small-scale farmers, the study demonstrates the importance of diverse and extensive social networks for the long-term success and viability of local food projects. It utilizes common themes from the agrofoods and social capital literatures to examine how social capital becomes manifest amongst farmers in a local food context, and to show that social relationships may be mobilized to both generate and sustain community investment in local agriculture.
