Bridging the Gaps: Exploring the Interplay Between Supply Chain Disruptions and Food Security

This workshop will explore the critical intersection offood supply chain resilience and food security, examining the vulnerabilities and opportunities within the current food systems. It is designed for policymakers, researchers, commercial and humanitarianprofessionals, and anyone interested in food supply chains and security.

Participants will delve into how disruptions, such as pandemics, climate change, and labour shortages, impact the flow of food from farm to consumer. We will use asystems thinking approach, emphasizing the importance of understanding the complex, interconnected nature of food systems, and how changes in one area can create ripple effects through the entire system.

Key areas of focus will include:

• Exploringthe nature of food security: The workshop will examine different definitions of food security, encompassing aspects like access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. It will also consider factors influencing food security, such as economic conditions, population growth, and geopolitical issues.

• Analysing the impacts ofdisruptions: The workshop will explore how external shocks,such aspandemics, climate change, and labour shortages can disrupt food supply chains and create food insecurity. It will also examine how these disruptions can create feedback loops that worsen the situation. For instance, pandemics can lead to workforce shortages, reduced production, and hoarding behaviour, while climate change can negatively impact agricultural production and increase environmental risks. Labour shortages can result in decreased production and potential safety issues.

• Identifyingstrategies for building resilience: Participants will identify strategies for enhancing food system resilience, such as diversifying food sources, improving coordination among stakeholders, and clarifying policy responsibilities. The workshop will emphasize the importance of establishing cross-cutting coordination mechanisms to prepare for and mitigate the effects of future disruptions.

• Role of technology and innovation: The workshop will examine the role of technology, such as blockchain for enhanced food safety and traceability, and automation to address labour shortages, while acknowledging that automation requires significant investment.

• Consumer behaviour: The workshop will discuss how consumer demand patterns, including hoarding behaviour, can impact food supply chains. It will also address the role of individual behaviours, values, and responsibility in shaping food security.

• Significance of policy and governance: The importance of government policies and improved food governance mechanisms will be highlighted as key to enhancing food security, particularly in responding to shocks and addressing existing policy gaps

By examining these elements, the workshop will allow participants to explore a deeper understanding of the complexities of food supply chains and the crucial role they play in ensuring food security. The goal is to empower participants to contribute to building more robust and sustainable food systems for the future. The workshop will utilize the group model building (GMB) method to identify the relationships between the various entities and sub-systems.