In this exploratory analysis, we investigate the genesis and the evolution of local food-purchasing networks created and operated by consumers. In details, we describe how collecting and sharing information about food-products can become a central activity for some consumers’ communities and how these communities are starting to play an active role in the food supply chain. We define this community-based food-purchasing model as collaborative food network (CFN), and we analytically describe its characteristics and differences with respect to the traditional and industrialized agrifood supply chain models. A collaborative food network community in Italy, known as GAS (“Gruppi di Acquisto Solidale” – “Solidarity Purchasing Groups”), is introduced as an example of our analytical model. We will use this empirical example to present the strengths and weaknesses of the CFN model.

To identify "Gongsik", defined as food-sharing by picking food from a common plate using personal utensils, we conducted 7 focus group interviews including 47 university students during a 6 month period. Focus group discussions were audio taped, transcribed, and categorized into major themes. We divided Gongsik into the following categories: practical reasons, socio-psychological reasons, boundaries, suppressive situations, emotional characteristics, attitudes towards using different utensils, and future prospects. Gongsik appeared to be useful for fostering quick food sharing, intimacy and solidarity, and a fixed behavior learned at home. If the amount of food was too small to provide individual servings, as in Jjigae, Gongsik was likely to occur spontaneously. Family, close relatives, friends, and lovers sharing common activities and/ or blood ties were composed the boundaries of Gongsik. However, Gongsik was avoided in elegant restaurants or in view of foreigners. Participants showed mixed feelings towards Gongsik. Gongsik conducted with a spoon was considered to increase the degree of suggested intimacy in a food sharing context. Half of the students believed that the practice of Gongsik would be maintained into the future. Gongsik is a culturally-specific behavior that includes both positive and negative meanings. Aside from improving understanding of the cultural aspects of food-sharing, we suggest that the negative aspects of Gongsik related to the issue of hygiene be considered in food and nutrition education.

This study examined food sharing characteristics revealed in the modern Korean society by both interpreting phenomena and analyzing literature. Diet was said to be the least influenced by western modernization in Korea. Concerning this matter, one of the important explanations to be considered would be a strong influence of 'the first settlement effect' in culture, as reviewed elsewhere. Sharing food means not only sharing food itself but also sharing communal solidarity. The latter was strongly emphasized in Korean food culture due to his own historical grounding. Some examples revealed in current Korea included sometimes too much generous treat when eating out, even saliva allowed food sharing, too much food provision, and too many restaurants. 'Dutch treat' observed in many occasions of food sharing in Korea was also viewed as a product of historical experience, which was related to the degree of traits of feudalism in modern societies as feudalism was based on a sort of a give and take contract. The association of the degree of traits of feudalism and communal solidarity was explored by comparing so called different meal treat manners between Koreans and Japanese, that is, more generous attitude among the former. The concept of communal solidarity was also examined with respect to Koreans' side dish sharing behaviors which sometimes accompanied seemingly insanitary saliva sharing. In addition, provision of too much food was analyzed by relating this manner to a traditional 'hand over dining table' custom. Traditionally, food on a dining table was not supposed to be only for those sitting on the table. Even though the 'hand over dining table' was no longer well preserved at present time, its cultural traits appeared to be well prevailed in the modern Korean society. Finally, an increase of restaurants as well as an increase of eating out occasions were postulated with respect to the notion that restaurants were the places for ascertaining communal solidarity while sharing foods. The above analyses suggest the importance of the influence of sharing originated from his/her own historical grounding for better understanding of modern Korean food culture.