COVID-19 and small enterprises in the food supply chain: Early impacts and implications for longer-term food system resilience in low- and middle-income countries

Food supply chain management is becoming a critical management and public policy agenda. Climate change, growing demand, and shifting patterns of food production, delivery, and consumption have elicited a series of new challenges, such as food security, safety, and system resiliency. This chapter first introduces the typical players in a food supply chain and examines the global food system characterized by consolidation and industrialization. It then discusses some critical topics of the sustainable food supply chain that aim to address these challenges. These topics include traceability, transparency, certification and standards, and alternatives to industrialized food systems, including cooperatives, community-supported agriculture, and roles of small and medium-sized growers in regenerative agriculture. The chapter ends with a discussion of several important emerging logistics management topics, including last-mile delivery, new technology, and cold chain management.

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Large-Scale Food Fortification and Biofortification in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Review of Programs, Trends, Challenges, and Evidence Gaps

Food and Nutrition Bulletin ◽

10.1177/0379572118774229 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 315-331 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Saskia J. M. Osendarp ◽

Homero Martinez ◽

Greg S. Garrett ◽

Lynnette M. Neufeld ◽

Luz Maria De-Regil ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Food System ◽

Food Fortification ◽

Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Essential Components ◽

Quality Of Delivery ◽

And Control ◽

Low And Middle Income

Background: Food fortification and biofortification are well-established strategies to address micronutrient deficiencies in vulnerable populations. However, the effectiveness of fortification programs is not only determined by the biological efficacy of the fortified foods but also by effective and sustainable implementation, which requires continual monitoring, quality assurance and control, and corrective measures to ensure high compliance. Objective: To provide an overview of efficacy, effectiveness, economics of food fortification and biofortification, and status of and challenges faced by large-scale food fortification programs in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Methods: A literature review of PubMed publications in English from 2000 to 2017, as well as gray literature, targeting nongovernmental organizations whose work focuses on this topic, complemented by national reports and a “snowball” process of citation searching. The article describes remaining technical challenges, barriers, and evidence gap and prioritizes recommendations and next steps to further accelerate progress and potential of impact. Results: The review identifies and highlights essential components of successful programs. It also points out issues that determine poor program performance, including lack of adequate monitoring and enforcement and poor compliance with standards by industry. Conclusions: In the last 17 years, large-scale food fortification initiatives have been reaching increasingly larger segments of populations in LMIC. Large-scale food fortification and biofortification should be part of other nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive efforts to prevent and control micronutrient deficiencies. There are remaining technical and food system challenges, especially in relation to improving coverage and quality of delivery and measuring progress of national programs.

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Supply chain issues in SME food sector: a systematic review

Journal of Advances in Management Research ◽

10.1108/jamr-02-2019-0010 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 19-65 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Arun Jose ◽

PrasannaVenkatesan Shanmugam

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Product Quality ◽

Food Supply ◽

Food System ◽

Ghg Emission ◽

Major Research ◽

Food Sector ◽

Food Supply Chain ◽

Content Type ◽

Research Themes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the significant supply chain issues in the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) food industry. The objectives are to identify the major themes and the dynamic evolution of SME food supply chain (FSC) issues, the current research trends, the different modelling approaches used in SME FSC, and the most addressed SME food sector. Design/methodology/approach In all, 3,733 published articles from 2002 to 2018 in the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science database were collected, from which 1,091 articles were shortlisted for the review. The authors used bibliographic coupling combined with co-word analysis to identify the historical relations of the research themes that emerged during the periods 2002–2014 and 2002–2018. Findings This research identified five major research themes such as production and distribution in alternative food networks, relationship, safety and standards in the FSC, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission impact of the farm food system, traceability and product quality in FSC and asymmetric price transmission in the FSC. Among the identified themes, GHG emission impact of the farm food system and traceability and product quality in the FSC have received increasing attention in recent years. The dairy sector is the most addressed sector (36 per cent), followed by fruits and vegetables (27 per cent), meat and poultry (18 per cent), seafood (10 per cent) and grains and oilseed (8 per cent). It is also identified that the dairy sector has received significant attention in the “GHG Emission impact of farm food system” theme. Similarly, meat and poultry sectors have received much attention in the “Traceability and product quality in the food supply chain” theme. Also, the authors identified that the empirical modelling approaches are the most commonly used solution methodology, followed by the conceptual/qualitative methods in the SME FSC. Originality/value This study maps and summarizes the existing knowledge base of supply chain issues in the SME food sector. The results of this review provide the major research areas, most commonly used approaches and food sectors addressed. This study also highlights the research gaps and potential future research direction.

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Quantities and Quantification Methodologies of Food Waste in Swedish Hospitals

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12083116 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 3116 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mattias Eriksson ◽

Christopher Malefors ◽

Pauline Bergström ◽

Emelie Eriksson ◽

Christine Persson Osowski

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Food Waste ◽

Food Supply ◽

Food System ◽

Food Supply Chain ◽

Sustainable Food ◽

Plate Waste ◽

Overall Performance ◽

Regional Authorities ◽

Sustainable Food System

To move towards a sustainable food system, we cannot continue to waste substantial amounts of the food produced. This is especially true for later stages in the food supply chain, where most sub-processes consume resources in vain when food is wasted. Hospitals are located at the end of the food supply chain and the sector has high levels of food waste. This study investigated food waste quantification practices in Swedish hospitals, examined whether a questionnaire is an appropriate methodology for such mapping, and compiled data for the sector in order to determine the amount of food waste and its composition. A questionnaire was sent to all 21 regional authorities, formerly known as county councils, responsible for hospitals in Sweden. The questionnaire responses were supplemented with food waste records from three regions that organize the catering in a total of 20 hospitals. The results showed that it is common practice in most hospitals to quantify food waste, with quantification focusing on lunch and dinner in relation to the number of guests served. It was also clear that waste quantification practices have been established for years, and in the majority of the hospitals studied. The data revealed that, in comparison with other sectors, food waste was still high, 111 g guest−1 meal−1, consisting of 42% plate waste, 36% serving waste, and 22% kitchen waste. However, there was great variation between hospitals, which, in combination with well-established, standardized waste quantification routines, meaning that this sector has strong potential to spread best practices and improve overall performance in reducing food waste generation.

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The Importance of a Food Systems Approach to Low and Middle Income Countries and Emerging Economies: A Review of Theories and Its Relevance for Disease Control and Malnutrition

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems ◽

10.3389/fsufs.2021.642635 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

Author(s):

Pablo Alarcon ◽

Paula Dominguez-Salas ◽

Eric M. Fèvre ◽

Jonathan Rushton

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Food Safety ◽

Emerging Economies ◽

Food Systems ◽

Food System ◽

Systems Science ◽

Multidisciplinary Teams ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Low And Middle Income

Our review explores the changing food production, distribution and consumption environment in low and middle-income countries and emerging economies as a basis for framing how to study food systems in order to address public health issues of food safety and nutrition. It presents the state of knowledge on existing food systems science and its use in terms of sustainable actions for food safety and public health. The review identifies a knowledge gap in food system mapping and governance, with value chain mapping of key commodities often missing. Despite a number of initiatives, the application of food systems methods is highly variable in scope and quality. Most analyses concentrate on specific commodities, rarely taking into account the need for a whole diet approach when looking at nutrition or the assessment of a range of infectious agents and their interactions when looking at food safety. Of the studies included in the review there is a growing observation of “informal” food systems, a term used inconsistently and one that requires revision. “Informal” food systems link to the formal sector to provide food security, yet with trade-offs between economic efficiencies and food safety. Efforts to improve food safety are hampered by inadequate food safety capacities and a lack of policy coherence leading to: inadequate investment; fragmented food quality control systems; weak or non-existent traceability mechanisms; weak foodborne disease surveillance; obsolete food regulation; and weak regulatory enforcement. In-depth food systems assessments can complement risk analysis to identify risky behaviors and understand institutional settings in order to improve codes of practice and enforcement. Methods for looking at food safety from a food systems perspective are emerging, yet existing nutrition and food systems science are not advancing sufficiently in response to nutritional public health problems. There is an urgency for improved understanding of the structure and drivers of the food systems, for better planning of changes that leads to nutrients access and healthy levels of eating. It is proposed that countries and international institutions provide an atlas of food system maps for the key commodities based on an agreed common methodology and developed by multidisciplinary teams.

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Food Systems After Covid-19

IDS Bulletin ◽

10.19088/1968-2021.107 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ayako Ebata ◽

Nicholas Nisbett ◽

Stuart Gillespie

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Food Systems ◽

Small And Medium Enterprises ◽

Food Supply Chain ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Nutrition Security ◽

Food And Nutrition ◽

Medium Enterprises ◽

Local Innovation Systems

Measures to slow down the spread of Covid-19 have had profound effects on the food and nutrition security of poor and marginalised households and communities. This article provides an overview of the effects of Covid-19 on food systems across low- and middle-income countries using resilience and political economy lenses, before proposing approaches to build back resilient and equitable food systems. First, future interventions need to target structural issues that limit people’s agency in accessing nutritious and diverse food and production capital. Second, local innovation systems and institutions require investment to create a market environment that benefits domestic (small and medium) enterprises and agri‑food supply chain workers without jeopardising the environment. Third, interventions need to be informed by a diverse set of opinions that include the voices of the most marginalised.

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Diet quality indices for research in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review

Nutrition Reviews ◽

10.1093/nutrit/nuz017 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 77 (8) ◽

pp. 515-540 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Laura Trijsburg ◽

Elise F Talsma ◽

Jeanne H M de Vries ◽

Gina Kennedy ◽

Anneleen Kuijsten ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diet Quality ◽

Food System ◽

Data Extraction ◽

High Income ◽

Dietary Guidelines ◽

Food Groups ◽

Quality Indices ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Low And Middle Income

Abstract Context Dietary intake research has increasingly focused on improving diet quality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Accompanying this is the need for sound metrics to assess diet quality. Objective This systematic literature review aims to describe existing diet quality indices for general populations and highlights recommendations for developing such indices for food system research in LMICs. Data sources Three electronic databases were searched for papers published between January 2008 and December 2017. Data extraction Articles published in English and describing the development of an index to measure overall diet quality, irrespective of whether they were for high-income countries or LMICs, were included. Data analysis Eighty-one indices were identified, over two thirds were based on national dietary guidelines from high-income countries. Of the 3 key diet quality dimensions, “diversity” was included in all 18 indices developed for LMICs, “moderation” was captured by most, and “nutrient adequacy” was included 4 times. Conclusions Indices need to be developed that include all dimensions, include foods and/or food groups rather than nutrients, use an optimal range for individual components in the score, and express the intake of healthy and unhealthy components separately. Importantly, validation of the index should be part of its development.

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Metrics to analyze and improve diets through food Systems in low and Middle Income Countries

Food Security ◽

10.1007/s12571-020-01091-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 1085-1105

Author(s):

Mequanint B. Melesse ◽

Marrit van den Berg ◽

Christophe Béné ◽

Alan de Brauw ◽

Inge D. Brouwer

Keyword(s):

Food Systems ◽

Food System ◽

Systems Approach ◽

Analytical Framework ◽

Data Availability ◽

Middle Income ◽

The Sustainable Development ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Public Data ◽

Low And Middle Income

Abstract Taking a food systems approach is a promising strategy for improving diets. Implementing such an approach would require the use of a comprehensive set of metrics to characterize food systems, set meaningful goals, track food system performance, and evaluate the impacts of food system interventions. Food system metrics are also useful to structure debates and communicate to policy makers and the general public. This paper provides an updated analytical framework of food systems and uses this to identify systematically relevant metrics and indicators based on data availability in low and middle income countries. We conclude that public data are relatively well available for food system drivers and outcomes, but not for all of the food system activities. With only minor additional investments, existing surveys could be extended to cover a large part of the required additional data. For some indicators, however, targeted data collection efforts are needed. As the list of indicators partly overlaps with the indicators for the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), part of the collected data could serve not only to describe and monitor food systems, but also to track progress towards attaining the SDGs.

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Ze Lekòl: Contextual Factors Affecting Use of Eggs in School Feeding in Cap-Haïtien, Haiti

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab045_017 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 635-635

Author(s):

Melissa Chapnick ◽

Michael Galvin ◽

Sherlie Jean-Louis ◽

Henri-Claude Saintelmond ◽

Emmanuel Gyimah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Focus Groups ◽

Egg Production ◽

Food System ◽

Dissemination And Implementation ◽

Preparation Methods ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Feeding Programs ◽

School Feeding ◽

Low And Middle Income

Abstract Objectives Eggs are a rich source of bioavailable nutrients for children, yet have been underutilized in school feeding programs in low- and middle-income countries. The purpose of the Ze Lekòl Project was to identify contextual facilitators, barriers, and resources needed at both the school and food system levels to link local egg value chains to school feeding programs in Cap-Haïtien, Haiti. Methods Key stakeholder interviews (n = 23) were conducted with school principals, representatives from the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture, domestic egg producers, and egg vendors. Focus groups (n = 4) were conducted with school staff and child caregivers. Interviews and focus groups were transcribed into Haitian Creole or French, and translated into English. Using inductive and deductive coding, interviews were analyzed for factors that facilitate or hinder the potential for incorporating locally produced eggs in school feeding programs. The approach to data collection and analysis was informed by the EPIS Implementation Science framework. Results School administrators and staff described facilitators (i.e., desire for nutritious foods, acceptability of eggs), barriers (i.e., preparation methods, national school feeding program structure) and potential benefits (i.e., improved student focus, reduced caregiver burden) for including eggs in school feeding programs. Local egg producers and vendors expressed facilitators (bulk purchases, customer preference for domestic eggs) and barriers (local availability of supplies, veterinary care, political disruption) to producing and selling locally produced eggs in Cap-Haïtien. Conclusions Locally produced eggs are an acceptable food to include in school feeding programs in Cap-Haïtien, Haiti. However, lack of sufficient infrastructure for domestic egg production prevents the ability to consistently provide the quantity of eggs needed for such programs without additional investments in domestic agriculture and school feeding programs. Findings from this study will inform interventions aimed at linking local agriculture to school feeding programs in low and middle-income countries. Funding Sources The Washington University in St. Louis Institute for Public Health–Center for Dissemination and Implementation funded this study.

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