Environmentally-Conscious Supply Chain Design in Support of Food Security

Abstract

**Please note that the full text is embargoed** 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. [This is a published version of an article published in "Operations & Supply Chain Management: An International Journal" in January 2010, available online: https://journal.oscm-forum.org/publication/article/environmentally-conscious-supply-chain-design-in-support-of-food-security DOI: http://doi.org/10.31387/oscm060034]