Abstract The persistence of global hunger and the slow progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have intensified discussions on the sustainability and effectiveness of current agri-food supply chains (AFSCs). In this context, short food supply chains (SFSCs) have emerged as promising alternatives to foster sustainable transitions in AFSCs by strengthening local food systems, reducing environmental impacts, and improving food access. However, the diffusion of SFSCs still faces several systemic and operational challenges. This study aims to systematize the international literature on SFSCs and identify evidence regarding AFSC vulnerabilities and the opportunities that could accelerate their sustainable transition. A systematic literature review was conducted, analyzing 71 peer-reviewed articles that address AFSCs, SFSCs, local food systems, and alternative food networks. A combined bibliometric and qualitative content analysis revealed 22 critical issues within current AFSCs, 27 actions supporting sustainable transitions, 38 barriers hindering SFSC diffusion, and 25 opportunities to overcome these barriers. Results also show that research on this topic is limited in major food-producing countries, exposing a geographical gap in the literature. The findings underscore the importance of context-specific studies and the development of practical, technology-enabled solutions—such as collaborative platforms and digital tools—to support the consolidation and scalability of SFSCs. This study contributes to the sustainability transitions literature by offering a structured research agenda and evidence-based recommendations for enhancing the resilience and sustainability of agri-food systems.
PINTO et al. (Wed,) studied this question.