Evaluating the supply chain design of fresh food on food security and logistics

Abstract

The fresh fruit and vegetables sector is competitive and dynamic, with uncertainties related to supply and quality. These uncertainties generate challenges in food safety and food security issues for developing countries. Researchers have studied the supply chains (SCs) of perishable products from different perspectives of modeling. However, there are few studies that contemplate the dynamics and Supply Chain Design (SCD). This paper present a model based on system dynamics for SCs of fresh foods. The model evaluates different SCD and their impact on food security and logistics. Unlike the studies found in the literature, the model includes the loss derived from the life cycle of the food and from logistic operations. From the application of the model to three SCs of fresh fruits in Colombia, it was found that a combination of the design structures is required to achieve performance measures for food security and performance of logistics.