U.S. Food Flows: A Cold Chain Network Analysis of Freight Movements to Inform Local and Regional Food Issues

Abstract

Logistics in the public interest is an emerging field of study, accelerated by supply chain disruptions as a result of COVID19 and is of increasing interest as climate change destabilizes natural systems and coupled human systems. Logistics involves understanding the structure of food systems networks and how the market may be structured to ensure equitable market and food access. The refrigerated food supply chain is an energy-intensive, nutritious and high-value part of the food system, making it particularly important to consider. Improved food transport and distribution are identified as high leverage strategies for both mitigation and adaptation during disruptive events, such as climate change. Understanding the network structures of these specific food movements highlights unique transportation challenges for nutritious and perishable products. These network data are based on data from the 2017 Department of Commerce Commodity Flow Survey and Freight Analysis Framework. Empirical data from downscaling is available at https://databank.illinois.edu/datasets/IDB-8455093.