As we (hopefully) begin to see the end of the COVID-19 pandemic near, now is an ideal time to reflect on the food supply chain, its longevity, and what comes next as a result of the significant impact the pandemic has had on consumer, retailer, and distribution behavior and best practices.
Taken quite literally, the food supply chain can be defined as the journey food takes from farm to table. The path has changed some over the years as technology and humanity has evolved, but the beginning and end stays the same even as we experience gaps and glitches.
There's no doubt that the pandemic has impacted the food supply chain significantly in both temporary and permanent ways. But what exactly are the issues, and why has it become necessary to pivot your approach to your food supply chain even once the pandemic wanes and we move from the “new” normal to the “next” normal?