Environmentally-Conscious Supply Chain Design in Support of Food Security

Author(s):

  • Caroline C. Krejci1 (University of Washington, USA)
  • Benita M. Beamon1 (University of Washington, USA)

Abstract:
This paper seeks to design food supply chain structures that can provide food security for every person in the world while supporting long-term environmental sustainability. In particular, we provide alternatives to the current food supply chain structure and analyze their potential for providing food security, in terms of productive capacity and long-term environmental sustainability. Given the current world population and expected continued growth, our analysis suggests that environmentally-sustainable food supply chains would be most effectively supported by local and organic agriculture, while maintaining a parallel industrial agricultural system. This hybrid system would adopt environmentally-sustainable principles whenever possible, seeking to increase reliance on renewable inputs, reduce toxic outputs and maintain biodiversity.

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