Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted food supply chains operations across the globe. Due to health safety practices like social distancing, local food supply chains such as farmers markets and food hubs are unable to conduct normal operations. This paper describes two low-cost information and communica¬tion technology (ICT) solutions developed for a farmers market and a food hub in Iowa to enable them to continue their operations during the pandemic while ensuring the safety of vulnerable consumers and essential workers. Other benefits of ICT for the long-term sustainability of local food systems are also discussed.
Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic saw increased grocery store shopping due to consumers’ fears of visiting a restaurant or even of food shortages
Adoption of information and communication technology (ICT) offers a potential solution to mitigate the disruption in local food supply chains, especially during times of crisis, such as the pandemic
This paper discusses two case studies where low-cost ICT solutions were developed for regional food supply chains in Iowa, which enabled them to continue their operations uninterrupted during the pandemic and improved their overall efficiency as well
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic saw increased grocery store shopping due to consumers’ fears of visiting a restaurant or even of food shortages. Keywords Local Food, Farmers Market, COVID-19, Pandemic, Food Hub, Information and Communication Technology, ICT Adoption of information and communication technology (ICT) offers a potential solution to mitigate the disruption in local food supply chains, especially during times of crisis, such as the pandemic.
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