Summary:

An attempt to combine the issue of food supply chains, the market of traditional products and food quality schemes was undertaken. The aim of the article was to indicate and discuss the most important factors influencing functioning of food supply chains in the context of food quality schemes existing in the European Union and on the domestic market. The following factors: food quality systems in force, added value in the entire food supply chains, requirements and nature of demand (consumer choices), challenges of the concept of sustainable development, collaboration and cooperation of the participants in the supply chain were discussed in the article. Attention was also paid to other elements (beyond the scope of this study) that are important in the development of food supply chains and in undertaking further research.