IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v16y2024i17p7781-d1473065.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Optimization and Analysis of the Impact of Food Hub Location on GHG Emissions in a Short Food Supply Chain

Author

Listed:
  • Yaheng Cui

    (LMAH, FR-CNRS-3335, Université Le Havre Normandie, 76600 Le Havre, France)

  • Ibrahima Diarrassouba

    (LMAH, FR-CNRS-3335, Université Le Havre Normandie, 76600 Le Havre, France)

  • Cédric Joncour

    (LMAH, FR-CNRS-3335, Université Le Havre Normandie, 76600 Le Havre, France)

  • Sophie Michel Loyal

    (LMAH, FR-CNRS-3335, Université Le Havre Normandie, 76600 Le Havre, France)

Abstract

The trend in many countries is to promote local consumption of food. This is done by encouraging consumers to connect directly with local farmers or by building hubs that are known as food hubs. Most of the studies on the environmental impact of short food supply chains (SFSCs) focus on the evaluation the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in SFSCs where consumers are directly connected to local farmers. Also, these studies mainly focus on GHG emissions due to transportation. To the best of our knowledge, there is no previous study or theoretical models on the estimation and impact of food hub selection and design on total GHG emissions, although they can play an important role in economic, environmental, and social sustainability of an SFSC. In this paper, we develop a framework to estimate GHG emissions from hubs and transportation in a two-echelon SFSC. We introduce a novel approach that utilizes piece-wise linear functions to model the hubs’ GHG emissions combined with an optimization model to calculate the total GHG emission of the SFSC. With this approach, we address the gaps in the literature for a more realistic supply chain model. Our optimization-based approach determines the optimal location, size, and number of food hubs to minimize total GHG emissions. We apply this framework, under various conditions, to the design of a particular SFSC in the Normandy region of France. We also extend the study to other countries. We provide several numerical results that are then analysed. Our analysis shows that the number of foods hubs, their location, and their design may considerably impact the total GHG emissions, depending on the input parameters and data. Furthermore, this study contributes to the advancement of sustainable and green supply chain management, providing valuable insights for practitioners and policy makers aiming to optimize SFSCs for environmental sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Yaheng Cui & Ibrahima Diarrassouba & Cédric Joncour & Sophie Michel Loyal, 2024. "Optimization and Analysis of the Impact of Food Hub Location on GHG Emissions in a Short Food Supply Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-26, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:17:p:7781-:d:1473065
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/17/7781/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/17/7781/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cheryl Brown & Stacy Miller, 2008. "The Impacts of Local Markets: A Review of Research on Farmers Markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 90(5), pages 1298-1302.
    2. Moya Kneafsey & Laura Venn & Ulrich Schmutz & Balász Bálint & Liz Trenchard & Trish Eyden-Woods & Elizabeth Bos & Gemma Sutton & Matthew Blackett, 2013. "Short Food Supply Chains and Local Food Systems in the EU. A State of Play of their Socio-Economic Characteristics," JRC Research Reports JRC80420, Joint Research Centre.
    3. Hinojosa, Y. & Puerto, J. & Fernandez, F. R., 2000. "A multiperiod two-echelon multicommodity capacitated plant location problem," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 123(2), pages 271-291, June.
    4. Hand, Michael S. & Martinez, Stephen W., 2010. "Just What Does Local Mean?," Choices: The Magazine of Food, Farm, and Resource Issues, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 25(1), pages 1-4.
    5. Matthew Mariola, 2008. "The local industrial complex? Questioning the link between local foods and energy use," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 25(2), pages 193-196, June.
    6. King, Robert P. & Hand, Michael S. & DiGiacomo, Gigi, 2014. "Case Studies on Local Food Supply Chains: Sample Questions for Supply Chain Participants," Case Studies 196415, University of Minnesota, The Food Industry Center.
    7. Zepeda, Lydia & Leviten-Reid, Catherine, 2004. "Consumers' Views on Local Food," Journal of Food Distribution Research, Food Distribution Research Society, vol. 35(3), pages 1-6, November.
    8. King, Robert P. & DiGiacomo, Gigi, 2014. "Case Studies on Local Food Supply Chains: Pilot Case Study: Lake Country Cooperative," Case Studies 196413, University of Minnesota, The Food Industry Center.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Martinez, Stephen W. & Hand, Michael S. & Da Pra, Michelle & Pollack, Susan L. & Ralston, Katherine L. & Smith, Travis A. & Vogel, Stephen J. & Clark, Shellye & Lohr, Luanne & Low, Sarah A. & Newman, , 2010. "Local Food Systems: Concepts, Impacts, and Issues," Economic Research Report 96635, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
      • Martinez, Steve & Hand, Michael & Da Pra, Michelle & Pollack, Susan & Ralston, Katherine & Smith, Travis & Vogel, Stephen & Clarke, Shellye & Lohr, Luanne & Low, Sarah & Newman, Constance, 2010. "Local food systems: concepts, impacts, and issues," MPRA Paper 24313, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Patrick Mundler & Sophie Laughrea, 2015. "Circuits alimentaires de proximité - Quels bénéfices pour le développement des territoires? Étude de cas dans trois territoires québécois," CIRANO Project Reports 2015rp-21, CIRANO.
    3. Sini Forssell & Leena Lankoski, 2015. "The sustainability promise of alternative food networks: an examination through “alternative” characteristics," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 32(1), pages 63-75, March.
    4. Gonzalo Gamboa & Zora Kovacic & Marina Di Masso & Sara Mingorría & Tiziano Gomiero & Marta Rivera-Ferré & Mario Giampietro, 2016. "The Complexity of Food Systems: Defining Relevant Attributes and Indicators for the Evaluation of Food Supply Chains in Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(6), pages 1-23, May.
    5. Wille, Stefan Clemens & Barklage, Britta & Spiller, Achim & von Meyer-Höfer, Marie, 2018. "Challenging factors of farmer-to-consumer direct marketing: An empirical analysis of German livestock owners," DARE Discussion Papers 1807, Georg-August University of Göttingen, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development (DARE).
    6. Agbo, Maxime & Rousselière, Damien & Salanié, Julien, 2015. "Agricultural marketing cooperatives with direct selling: A cooperative–non-cooperative game," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 56-71.
    7. Elisa Giampietri & Dieter B. A. Koemle & Xiaohua Yu & Adele Finco, 2016. "Consumers’ Sense of Farmers’ Markets: Tasting Sustainability or Just Purchasing Food?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-14, November.
    8. Bimbo, Francesco & Bonanno, Alessandro & Nardone, Gianluca & Viscecchia, Rosaria, 2015. "The Hidden Benefits of Short Food Supply Chains: Farmers’ Markets Density and Body Mass Index in Italy," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 18(1), pages 1-16, February.
    9. Clara Cicatiello & Silvio Franco & Emanuele Blasi & Barbara Pancino, 2015. "How Sustainable are Food Systems? One Step beyond the Concept," RIVISTA DI STUDI SULLA SOSTENIBILITA', FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2015(1), pages 181-196.
    10. Aubert, Magali & Enjolras, Geoffroy, 2016. "Which stability for marketing channels? The case of short food supply chains in French agriculture," 149th Seminar, October 27-28, 2016, Rennes, France 244895, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    11. Zsófia Benedek & Imre Fertő & Viktória Szente, 2020. "The Multiplier Effects of Food Relocalization: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-18, April.
    12. Maria Cecilia Mancini & Davide Menozzi & Michele Donati & Beatrice Biasini & Mario Veneziani & Filippo Arfini, 2019. "Producers’ and Consumers’ Perception of the Sustainability of Short Food Supply Chains: The Case of Parmigiano Reggiano PDO," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-23, January.
    13. Catherine Brinkley, 2018. "The Small World of the Alternative Food Network," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-19, August.
    14. Zsófia Benedek & Imre Fertő & Adrienn Molnár, 2018. "Off to market: but which one? Understanding the participation of small-scale farmers in short food supply chains—a Hungarian case study," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 35(2), pages 383-398, June.
    15. Stevens Azima & Patrick Mundler, 2022. "Does direct farm marketing fulfill its promises? analyzing job satisfaction among direct-market farmers in Canada," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(2), pages 791-807, June.
    16. Azucena Gracia, 2014. "Consumers’ preferences for a local food product: a real choice experiment," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 47(1), pages 111-128, August.
    17. Luigi Mastronardi & Davide Marino & Vincenzo Giaccio & Agostino Giannelli & Margherita Palmieri & Giampiero Mazzocchi, 2019. "Analyzing Alternative Food Networks sustainability in Italy: a proposal for an assessment framework," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 7(1), pages 1-19, December.
    18. Magali Aubert & Geoffroy Enjolras, 2015. "Stabilité ou instabilité des stratégies commerciales ? Le cas des circuits courts dans l'agriculture française," Post-Print hal-01296421, HAL.
    19. Gumirakiza, Jean Dominique & Curtis, Kynda R. & Bosworth, Ryan C., 2014. "Who Attends Farmers’ Markets and Why? Understanding Consumers and their Motivations," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 17(2), pages 1-18, May.
    20. Uematsu, Hiroki & Mishra, Ashok K., 2011. "Use of Direct Marketing Strategies by Farmers and Their Impact on Farm Business Income," Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 40(1), pages 1-19, April.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:17:p:7781-:d:1473065. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.