Short supply chains have existed in France for a long time, however, new and different forms have recently emerged delivered by new actors who are looking beyond the simple economic dimensions of local food. In particular, it is obvious that short supply chains have the potential to work as an effective complementary marketing system to the longer market chains that exist in France. According to the 2010 agricultural census 21% of French farmers sold all or part of their products through short supply chains. Short supply chains have mainly been established for the fruit and vegetable sector, but some livestock products such as poultry, dairy products and other processed products, such as honey, are also sold through these systems. The census further identified that most farms involved in short supply chains are smaller than average, have younger farmers and increasingly use organic production techniques.