Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS): a tool to improve the effectiveness of smallholders’ production

In Short Food Supply Chains (SFSC), the product quality is strictly connected to the quality of the control system. When consumers play an active role in controlling the quality of products, the elements characterizing the quality as a domestic convention further increase the reputation of the products. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the role of Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) as quality control system in SFSC. This paper aims to investigate if PGS can represent an opportunity for smallholders to improve the effectiveness of their products. The research makes reference to two case studies: 1) Slow Food pilot project on PGS; and 2) the case of the District of Solidarity Economy of Parma (Italy).