Western-European consumers have become not only more demanding on product availability in retail outlets but also on other food attributes such as quality, integrity, and safety. When (re)designing food supply-chain networks, from a logistics point of view, one has to consider these demands next to traditional efficiency and responsiveness requirements. The concept ‘quality controlled logistics’ (QCL) hypothesizes that if product quality in each step of the supply chain can be predicted in advance, goods flows can be controlled in a pro-active manner and better chain designs can be established resulting in higher product availability, constant quality, and less product losses. The paper discusses opportunities of using real-time product quality information for improvement of the design and management of ‘AgriFood Supply Chain Networks’, and presents a preliminary diagnostic instrument for assessment of ‘critical quality’ and ‘logistics control’ points in the supply chain network. Results of a tomato-chain case illustrate the added value of the QCL concept for identifying improvement opportunities in the supply chain as to increase both product availability and quality. Future research aims for the further development of the diagnostic instrument and the quantification of costs and benefits of QCL scenarios.
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This study theorizes on the sociomateriality of food in authority-building processes of partial organizations by exploring alternative food networks (AFNs). Through the construction of arenas for food provisioning, AFNs represent grassroots collectives that deliberately differentiate their practices from mainstream forms of food provisioning. Based on a sequential mixed-methods analysis of 24 AFNs, where an inductive chronological analysis is followed by a qualitative comparative analysis (QCA), we found that the entanglements between participants’ food provisioning practices and food itself shape how authority emerges in AFNs. Food generates biological, physiological and social struggles for AFN participants who, in turn, respond by embracing or avoiding them. As an outcome, most AFNs tend to bureaucratize over time according to four identified patterns while a few idiosyncratically build a more shared basis of authority. We conclude that the sociomateriality of food plays an important yet indirect role in understanding why and how food provisioning arenas re-organize and forge their forms of authority over time. Pascucci, S., Dentoni, D., Clements, J., Poldner, K., & Gartner, W. B. (2021). Forging Forms of Authority through the Sociomateriality of Food in Partial Organizations. Organization Studies, 42(2), 301-326. https://doi.org/10.1177/0170840620980232
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Soil quality is directly linked to food quality and quantity. However the globalisation and the pressure to increase the agricultural production results to deterioration of the environment, climate change and a serious threat to human and animal health. Soil contamination effected by the environmental pollution is one of the most pressing issues in the political and expertise debate on food safety within the related EU policies as Common agricultural policy, EU agri-environmental, EU food policy and EU health policy. Numerous studies have shown that heavy metals can accumulate in tissues, subsequently affect organ functions, and disrupt the reproductive, nervous or endocrine system. Therefore, the health status in relation to xenobiotics should be monitored and explored. The international scientific conference „Quality Soil as a Pathway to Healthy Food in the EU- Challenges to 2030“ aimed to highlight challenges of the food and feed management on the EU until 2030, including identification of risk factors for food and feed production, food chain, and sustainable agriculture. At the conference experts from 9 EU countires presented their latest research results related to soil and food quality and their visions and proposals how to decrease the negative effects of contamination of soil and food.
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From the article: "This article evaluates the application of blockchain technology to improve organic or fair-trade food traceability from “Farm to Fork” in light of European regulations. This study aims to shed light on the challenges in the organic food chain to overcome, the drivers for blockchain technology, and the challenges in current projects."
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This study proposes a systematic value chain approach to helping businesses identify and eliminate inefficiencies. The authors have developed a robust framework, which food-sector entrepreneurs can use to increase profitability of an existing business or to create new profitable opportunities. The value chain approach provides win-win opportunities for players within the value chain. To test the robustness of the framework, the authors use food waste as an example of a critical inefficiency and apply it to two different food sector business cases, each operating in diverse conditions. Because the suggested framework addresses the core elements and parameters for the existence and competitiveness of a business, the model can be adapted to other sectors.
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from the article: Abstract Based on a review of recent literature, this paper addresses the question of how urban planners can steer urban environmental quality, given the fact that it is multidimensional in character, is assessed largely in subjective terms and varies across time. The paper explores three questions that are at the core of planning and designing cities: ‘quality of what?’, ‘quality for whom?’ and ‘quality at what time?’ and illustrates the dilemmas that urban planners face in answering these questions. The three questions provide a novel framework that offers urban planners perspectives for action in finding their way out of the dilemmas identified. Rather than further detailing the exact nature of urban quality, these perspectives call for an approach to urban planning that is integrated, participative and adaptive. ; ; sustainable urban development; trade-offs; quality dimensions
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De transitie van het onderwijs in de foodsector in de Rotterdamse regio
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More and more people worldwide live in urban areas, and these areas face many problems, of which a sustainable food provision is one. In this paper we aim to show that a transition towards more sustainable, regionally organized food systems strongly contributes to green, livable cities. The article describes a case study in the Dutch region of Arnhem–Nijmegen. Partners of a network on sustainable food in this region were interviewed on how they expect the food system to develop, and in design studies possible futures are explored. Both the interviews and the designs give support to the idea that indeed sustainable food systems can be developed to contribute to green livable cities. They show that the quality and meaning of existing green areas can be raised; new areas can be added to a public green system, and connections with green surroundings are enforced. They also show that inhabitants or consumers can be stimulated to become so called food citizens, highlighting that the relation of food systems and livable cities is a very close one.
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Urban delta areas are facing problems related with land scarcity and are impacted by climate change and flooding. To meet the current demands and future challenges, innovative and adaptive urban developments are necessary [de Graaf, 2009]. Floating urban development is a promising solutions, as it offers the flexibility and multifunctionality required to efficiently face the current challenges for delta cities. It provides flood proof buildings and opportunities for sustainable food and energy production
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This paper quantifies output from 11 annual conferences held by the European Federation of Food Science and Technology (EFFoST) in the period 2010–2020 on a range of themes in food science/technology, innovation, sustainability, valorisation, food safety, food and health, food properties, consumer aspects and related areas. Summaries of the 11 conferences have been published in a series of 11 reports published in Trends in Food Science and Technology. Collated outputs from the 11 conferences were 283 plenary/keynote lectures, 982 theme lectures, 3196 posters and 4710 attendees. This represents a very large dissemination effort by any standard and augers well for the status of food science and technology in Europe and also more globally. Special sessions are a feature of recent EFFoST conferences, consisting of discussion platforms/forums with chairpersons and ‘hot topics’ for debate. Two examples are (i) the OLEUM project which aims to better guarantee olive oil quality and authenticity, and (ii) the valorisation of side streams. Foremost among special sessions are those for young scientists. The Young EFFoST Day provides opportunity for young food professionals to expand their competencies and networking in food science. It is a day for young scientists managed by young scientists. Networking between conference attendees at posters sessions, coffee and lunch breaks is a key part of each conference, which facilitates information exchange and the framing of new collaborative projects.
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