Research Trends and Hotspots in Food Bank: A Visualization Analysis Using CiteSpace

Abstract

Using CiteSpace software and various statistical methods, this study analyzed 1000 pieces of literature from the Web of Science database spanning from 2012 to 2022. Through a visual econometric analysis of the existing research results, this study aimed to discern the research hotspots and development trends related to food banks. A visual map was constructed to highlight aspects, such as geographical distribution, author distribution, research fields, emerging words, and keyword clustering. The findings indicate that “food bank” is a burgeoning research direction within the realm of food loss and waste. Since 2012, there has been a consistent annual increase in the research output. Notably, there exists a collaborative dynamic among the authors, leading to the formation of a distinct core group. However, these collaborations tend to be localized, resulting in an overall low degree of cooperation. The prevailing research trends in this domain revolve around the challenges and synergies between food scarcity and food safety in food banks, strategies to ensure sustainable development of food banks, and methodologies to effectively evaluate their operational performance.

1. Introduction

The global situation of food loss and waste is currently a complex issue [1]. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), approximately one-third of the world’s food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted, amounting to around 1.3 billion tons of food [2]. This problem directly impacts global hunger and sustainability in the 21st century (FAO, 2020). In 2017, the United Nations set a sustainability goal to halve global per capita food waste at retail and consumer levels by 2030. When comparing countries at different levels of development, it is evident that developing countries face significant challenges in terms of food loss and waste. Consequently, the solutions in these countries often focus on infrastructure investments in storage and transportation. However, food waste and loss are not limited to developing countries and have become a global concern. In addition to the food itself, this issue results in the wastage of resources, such as water, land, energy, labor, and capital, which severely undermines economic and environmental sustainability (FAO, 2020). The abundance of material goods in society contributes to a significant amount of waste. Supermarkets, for example, incur costs to dispose and destroy unsold food nearing expiration. In some cases, surplus produce is discarded, and even milk and butter have been dumped into the sea by the European Union. This highlights the extent of this problem and the need for effective measures to reduce food loss and waste.

The global food problem presents a significant challenge affecting people worldwide, necessitating solutions guided by scientific theories. Scholars play a pivotal role in advancing the field, with theoretical research providing crucial insights for addressing real-world issues. As theoretical research matures, it empowers stakeholders to effectively navigate practical challenges. By analyzing academic research on food banks, we can discern the current challenges confronting these institutions and chart a course for their future development. This analysis serves as a roadmap for both food banks and governments, guiding them to take proactive measures to enhance food bank operations for the betterment of society. Through informed action and strategic interventions informed by empirical evidence and theoretical insights, stakeholders can work towards alleviating food insecurity and promoting equitable access to nutritious food resources globally.

This paper provides an analysis of the research hotspots and development trends in the field of food banks, guided by several relevant theoretical frameworks. These theories, originating from various levels of social organizations, governments, and consumer perspectives, lend long-term significance to this research. The main theories employed include the following.

(1)

Sociological Theories: Sociological theories offer insights into the emergence, development, and operational mechanisms of food banks. For instance, the social capital theory can explain the motivations of volunteers participating in food banks and the influence of social networks on these organizations.

(2)

Sustainability Theory: Sustainability theory can be compared to inspecting the engine of a car. Just as inspecting the engine ensures that a car will run smoothly and efficiently over the long term, sustainability theory helps us evaluate whether a food bank is set up in a way that ensures its ongoing success and whether it has a positive effect on our daily lives, work, and natural environment.

(3)

Public Policy Theory: Public policy theory acts as a key to unlocking our understanding of how government and non-profit organizations collaborate to foster the growth and efficient management of food banks. It ensures that sufficient resources are in place to feed those who require assistance.

(4)

Consumer Behavior Theories: Consumer behavior theories are employed to study the behavior and decision-making processes of individuals utilizing food bank services. Models such as the demand model and behavioral economics theories shed light on individuals’ willingness to use food banks and the motivations behind their behavior.

By employing these theoretical frameworks, this study examines the research landscape in the field of food banks from 2012 to 2022 and identifies future research directions. Building on the findings of this paper, future empirical research should focus on the rapid growth of global inflation in the sector, and explore this phenomenon from an empirical standpoint in conjunction with the current research landscape. This approach will help advance our understanding of food bank dynamics and inform effective strategies to address the challenges posed by inflationary pressures.

In response to the issue of food waste, some dedicated volunteers have organized and established food banks. These food banks are non-profit charitable organizations that collect and distribute food rather than storing it for a long time. Individuals or businesses can donate unused or surplus food to food banks, which are then distributed to those in need. Furthermore, since the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the number of hungry people worldwide has increased significantly. This is especially true in regions affected by conflicts like the “Russia-Ukraine conflict” in 2022. As a result, countries have become more attentive and have implemented measures to control food imports and exports. National food banks have reported a rapid increase in the number of people requiring food assistance in recent years, highlighting the severity of the global food problem [3].

However, mounting evidence suggests that food banks alone are insufficient to tackle food insecurity comprehensively. Challenges, such as chronic poverty, inadequate affordable housing, and insufficient social assistance rates persist, indicating that food banks cannot fully address the underlying causes of food insecurity. While food banks may have the potential to improve the diets and food security of their users, they may not reach all food-insecure populations.

Efforts are needed to enhance the nutritional quality of food provided by food banks to improve the experiences of those they serve. Additionally, the rapid expansion of food banks serves as a stark indicator of the failure of governments and policies to adequately address food poverty and its associated challenges. Addressing these systemic issues requires a multifaceted approach encompassing policy reforms, social interventions, and community-based initiatives aimed at promoting equitable access to nutritious food resources and addressing the root causes of food insecurity.

This study aims to evaluate the global reach of food bank research by providing a detailed snapshot of its progress and societal contributions. It seeks to identify their key strengths and vulnerabilities and to chart future directions and academic trends that reflect current societal needs.

2. Methods and Tools

2.1. Research Methods and Data Sources

The Web of Science database houses an extensive collection of food bank research data. Studies encompass diverse topics, from nutritional health to the history and operations of food banks. They also explore solutions to social issues, the dynamics between food bank participants and clients, and the evolving role of these banks in user experiences. Additionally, this research addresses the nutritional implications of pre-packaged food distributions and the potential and constraints of food banks in reducing food insecurity among low-income groups [4,5,6,7]. The majority of data in these studies originate from online sources or literature databases. A thorough examination of the literature on food banks provides valuable insights into their background, development, and operations and highlights their primary challenges. Food banks primarily aim to combat food scarcity and hunger, support food security efforts, and help governments effectively address these challenges.

Selecting Web of Science (WoS) as the primary source of articles for this paper was a strategic decision driven by several key factors:

(1)

Quality and Credibility: Web of Science features a comprehensive database of peer-reviewed articles from various disciplines, ensuring high-quality and trustworthy information.

(2)

Wide Disciplinary Range: Covering the natural sciences and humanities, WoS provides a multifaceted research platform that promotes interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration.

(3)

Efficient Citation Tracking: With advanced citation tracking tools, researchers can easily assess the impact and citation status of articles, aiding in evaluating their significance in specific fields.

(4)

Powerful Research Analytics: Tools like CiteSpace offer visualization of literature, helping to identify trends and key areas, aligning with the paper’s analytical approach.

(5)

Renowned Internationally: Indexing in WoS confers prestige and influence, enhancing the global visibility and recognition of research and facilitating worldwide scholarly dissemination.

The selection of articles from the Web of Science was based on keyword indexing and citation rate, prioritizing high-quality, interdisciplinary content. Utilizing this resource, researchers can analyze trends, improve their research quality, and increase their impact.

CiteSpace (version XXX), a popular tool for knowledge mapping, enables visual analysis by creating networks of collaborators through citation analysis, thereby revealing the structure of a research area [8]. This paper aims to apply CiteSpace to visualize the development, trends, and emerging topics in the food bank sector from 2012 to 2022. This visualization will intuitively showcase the research status of food banks, aiding in understanding the field’s evolution and identifying the areas of scientific progress. The tool, used in conjunction with the database, facilitates data processing and analysis [9].

The selection of the CiteSpace software for visualizing and analyzing research on food banks is strategic and aligns with the objective of clarifying research hotspots and development trends. The following reasons support this choice:

(1)

Visualization Strengths: CiteSpace allows for the powerful visualization of literature relationships, citation networks, and thematic patterns, enhancing research field understanding.

(2)

Analysis Tools: CiteSpace provides tools for literature analysis, such as co-citation co-occurrence analysis and thematic analysis, to identify key themes and trends.

(3)

Easy to Use: With a user-friendly interface and simple navigation, CiteSpace is accessible to researchers, regardless of their technical expertise.

(4)

Academic Praise: Widely used and respected in academia, CiteSpace boosts the credibility and influence of research, showcasing its value in scholarly work.

CiteSpace is chosen for this study, yet alternatives like VOSviewer and SciMAT offer comparable functions for literature visualization and analysis. This choice depends on specific needs, user preferences, and software reputation in the scholarly community. The selected tool should meet the researcher’s analysis objectives.

This paper employs CiteSpace to construct a knowledge map from the processed literature, illustrating the field’s knowledge structure and evolution. This visualization of keywords, topics, and author connections identifies trends and pivotal points. It reveals the research focus, primary directions, and academic collaboration networks. Additionally, the analysis establishes an author collaboration network, shedding light on cooperation modes and structures. This facilitates the identification of influential groups, key partnerships, and collaboration trends, enhancing academic exchange and progress.

The results are mainly depicted via visual graphs, including keyword co-occurrence diagrams, timeline displays, and heat maps. These graphics help researchers grasp the literature’s structure and features, revealing subtle patterns and trends. Visual analysis enhances the comprehension of the literature, guiding more enlightened decision-making and laying the groundwork for future research paths.

CiteSpace software was used to create knowledge maps illustrating hot keywords, authors, institutions, and the evolution of related fields [10]. The search for “Food Bank” in the Web of Science Core Collection, using the SCI-Expanded database’s “Advanced Search” feature, yielded 2305 articles from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2022. These articles spanned multiple types, including research articles, reviews, editorials, conference papers, and meeting abstracts.

To maintain data quality and integrity, the first 1000 articles with citation rates exceeding 12 were chosen. These articles, including full texts and cited references, were exported in plain text format in two batches of 500 each, totaling 1000 articles. Subsequently, the data were imported into CiteSpace for de-weighting. The process retained only “Article” type entries, yielding a final dataset of 855 relevant pieces of data.

This systematic approach ensures the inclusion of high-quality literature data and prepares it for further analysis using the CiteSpace software. The selected dataset will help us construct an academic knowledge map and analyze research trends in the field of food banks.

2.2. Bibliometric Analysis

The selected literature data were deduplicated using CiteSpace software. Out of the 1000 retrieved articles, 855 records were found to be non-duplicated, while the remaining 145 were conference proceedings or other types of publications. The literature covers the period from 2012 to 2022, and there is a high level of consistency in research findings within this field.

Publication statistics are key to monitoring the “Food Bank” research field’s evolution, shedding light on research advancements and trends. Figure 1 shows that article output decreased slightly from 2012 to 2014, reaching a total of 161, with a focus on Australian food banks and food safety [11]. However, from 2015 to 2016, the number of publications gradually increased to 135, with research focusing on topics like food equity [12] and the establishment of food storage and management guidelines [13].

From 2017 to 2022, the “Food Bank” field saw rapid growth, with the number of published articles surging to 361 in four years. Research became more targeted and in-depth, exploring food waste [14], organizational collaboration, and emergency food supply standards [15]. In 2021, publication numbers peaked, and by 2022, 72 articles were published, signaling the field’s emergence as a cutting-edge and critical area of study. Scholars are increasingly focusing on the current epidemic context [16], future food bank development, and food scarcity discussions [17].

In summary, the field of food banking has experienced consistent and gradual growth with a surge in development in recent years. While the Zhiwang database has published fewer articles and started its research later, the field represented in the Web of Science database is more established, with the majority of scholars actively engaged in future research.

3. Results

3.1. Visual Analysis of the Distribution of Authors in the Field of Food Banks

3.1.1. Author Co-Occurrence Mapping Analysis

A knowledge graph generated by CiteSpace software (Figure 2) visualizes author collaboration in the food banking field. The node size and author names represent the number of articles published. For clarity, only the six largest author collaboration groups are shown.

Table 1. Top seven statistics for the number of publications in the field of food banks from 2012 to 2022.

Author	Year	Number of Documents/Piece
Andreassen H	2013	6
Booth S	2014	6
Pollard C	2018	5
Koteja P	2016	5
Van Oevelen D	2013	5
Ylonen H	2012	4
Loopstra R	2018	4
Amount		35

lists the top six authors by article count. Thicker lines in the graph signify more author collaborations within a cluster. Line colors in other clusters denote different research topics, emphasizing the main research directions of cluster-related authors. The graph shows that Andreassen and Booth have the highest number of articles, each with six publications.

Other authors such as Pollard, Koteja, and Van Oevelen have also contributed a significant number of articles. The graph consists of 349 nodes and 245 connections, resulting in a network density of 0.004 [18]. This indicates that there is a considerable number of research authors in the field of food banking. While there is evidence of collaboration between authors, the number of connections and the density of connections suggest that the relationships between authors are localized, and the overall degree of collaboration is relatively low. Based on this chart, it is evident that authors who engage in close cooperation tend to have a higher number of publications. This observation suggests that collaboration plays a significant role in advancing the research in this field. Moving forward, fostering stronger collaboration among authors is essential for conducting more in-depth research collectively. By strengthening cooperation and leveraging each other’s expertise, researchers can address complex challenges more effectively and make significant contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the field of food banks.

Sarah Booth’s research centers on the analysis of environmental and societal factors influencing consumer food choices. Her work contributes valuable insights into food security and hunger. Her influential paper, “Environmental and Societal Factors Affect Food Choices and Physical Activity: Rationale, Influences, and Leverage Points”, has been cited 455 times [19]. This work explores the role of social environments in shaping individuals’ perceptions and behaviors, advocating for multi-level interventions to prompt behavior change. It emphasizes the importance of environmental factors in behavior formation, particularly in the face of complex environmental dynamics. The paper proposes a range of interventions across individual, social, cultural, environmental, and policy levels to mitigate food waste. These interventions include enhancing educational programs, promoting social advocacy, establishing policy norms, and instigating framework-level change.

3.1.2. Co-Author Analysis

Based on an analysis of scientists’ productivity and activity patterns, analytical scholars have introduced the concept of core authors. These are distinguished authors who have a high number of publications, high citation rates, and strong influence in their discipline or professional field. The formula used to calculate the number of publications by core authors is M = 0.749(Nmax)1/2, where Nmax represents the number of publications by the author with the highest count in the sample. By substituting the value of M into the formula, authors with more publications than M are identified as core authors. In the field of food bank research, based on the data from the chart, Andreassen and Booth have the highest number of articles in core journals, with six publications. By substituting this value into the formula, M is calculated to be 1.83. Therefore, authors with two or more publications can be identified as core authors.

The analysis conducted using CiteSpace software reveals the presence of 124 core authors in the field, contributing a total of 278 publications in core journals. These core authors account for 52% of the total sample size, surpassing the 50% threshold. This indicates that a significant number of researchers in the field form a distinct core group of authors who collaborate on similar research topics (refer to Figure 2). Within the core author groups, there is a high degree of internal cohesion, suggesting close relationships among the members. Additionally, there is a clear differentiation between the different groups, with minimal connections between them. This indicates a wide range of thematic directions in the field of food banking. Encouraging communication and exchanges among scholars in this area will contribute to the comprehensive and holistic development of the field and expand its research ideas and directions.

3.2. Visual Analysis of the Distribution of State and Research Institute Collaborations

3.2.1. Country Distribution Analysis

Figure 3 illustrates global publications on food banking research from 2012 to 2022. The size of each node represents the number of publications from that particular country and the names of the top six countries are displayed. The United States stands out as the primary contributor, with a significantly higher number of publications compared to other countries. In fact, the United States accounts for 30% of the total publications during the specified time period.

Table 2. Statistics on the number of national publications in the field of food banks from 2012 to 2022.

Country	Year	Number of Documents/Piece
USA	2012	284
UK	2012	89
Canada	2012	65
Germany	2012	53
Italy	2012	49
Brazil	2012	48
Netherlands	2013	44
Australia	2013	41
Amount		673

provides a closer look at the top eight countries in terms of publication count, all of which have more than 40 publications.

The analysis of both Figure 3 and Table 2 indicates that the top countries in food banking research are predominantly developed countries. This suggests that developed nations have been actively addressing food-related issues earlier than developing countries, leading to the initiation of research on food banks. The developed countries mentioned above play a pivotal role in advancing research within the field of food banking, serving as pioneers and influencers in various aspects. These countries have established a strong foundation for research, contributing significantly to the field through the publication of high-quality papers and research reports. For instance, institutions such as the Department of Agriculture in the United States, the Center for the Study of Agriculture and Environmental Change in the United Kingdom, and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Canada have extensive expertise and experience in food bank research.

The United States’ food aid programs are intricately linked to its economic, political, and geopolitical strategies. These programs serve not only to alleviate domestic agricultural surpluses but also to promote the export of U.S. agricultural products, supporting the domestic agricultural industry. Food aid is sometimes provided as part of economic assistance to help recipient countries build or enhance agricultural infrastructure, potentially creating future market opportunities for U.S. agribusinesses. In certain instances, U.S. food aid is employed to advance political objectives, such as promoting specific political systems or opposing certain policies. The U.S. government may use food aid to improve diplomatic relations with recipient countries, thereby enhancing its international influence.

Geopolitically, the United States may employ food aid to strengthen ties with countries in strategically significant regions or, in some cases, as a tool to counter competitors. Food aid to key countries can help stabilize these regions, protect U.S. global interests, and potentially reduce the influence of other countries and international organizations. U.S. food aid frequently comes with conditions, such as the requirement for recipient countries to implement certain political or economic reforms reflecting U.S. policy priorities. These conditions can be controversial and are seen by some as interference in the internal affairs of the recipient country. The U.S. government sees food aid as a component of its humanitarian foreign policy, intended to foster global well-being and enhance its international image. However, the actual effectiveness and motivations of such aid are often called into question by critics, both domestically and internationally, particularly when the aid may conflict with other U.S. policy objectives.

In conclusion, U.S. food aid measures transcend mere charitable acts; they embody complex economic policies, international political equations, and geostrategic ambitions. The multifaceted objectives of these measures are designed to fulfill the United States’ economic interests, political aims, and geostrategic aspirations.

Moreover, these countries wield substantial policy influence in the realms of food security and agricultural development, exerting a significant impact on the international food bank movement. The United States, for example, actively promotes global food security through agricultural assistance programs and international cooperation projects, emerging as a major provider of global food aid. The considerable research output from these countries encompasses various facets of food banking, including food production, storage, distribution, and assistance. This abundance of research output is supported by relevant literature, statistics, and reports from international organizations, affirming their prominent position in the field.

The food bank system in developed countries is relatively mature, but it still faces various complexities and challenges, which involve operational management, resource allocation, social justice, and adapting to changing needs. Here are some specific challenges: mismatch between demand and supply: food banks need to ensure that the food they provide meets the cultural and health needs of the recipients. Fluctuations in supply (such as seasonal changes in food donations) may result in excess resources during some periods and shortages during others. Resource allocation efficiency: How to ensure that the most in need receive help, with complex logistics systems supporting the collection, storage, and transportation of food. Funding issues: Food banks typically rely on donations and government funding, which may be unstable or insufficient to meet needs; economic fluctuations can also affect the level and frequency of individual donations.

Volunteer management: Food banks rely on a large number of volunteers to operate, and managing and motivating volunteers is a challenge; the quality of volunteer work and service stability may be difficult to guarantee. Regulatory and policy changes: Government policy changes may affect the legal status, funding sources, and operating models of food banks, and international trade rules and food safety standards may impact the supply chain. Health and food safety: Food banks need to ensure that the food they provide is safe and hygienic; in some cases, the shelf life and nutritional value of the food also need to be properly managed. Climate change and environmental issues: Climate change may lead to fluctuations in food prices and supply chain disruptions; food banks need to consider environmental protection and sustainable agricultural practices.

To address these challenges, food banks need to flexibly adjust their strategies, strengthen cooperation, enhance transparency and efficiency, and continuously seek new solutions to improve their services.

Collectively, the importance of these developed countries in food bank research is evident in their academic contributions, policy influence, and research volume. They serve as the cradle of the food bank movement, major contributors to research advancement, and leaders in policy implementation within the field. Nevertheless, the food banking system in developed countries is not without its challenges. It requires tailored adjustments to address the specific context of each country and should collaborate with developing nations to identify a suitable evolutionary path. This collaborative effort is essential for ensuring that the system remains adaptable and effective in meeting the diverse needs of different communities worldwide.

In recent years, various global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts, and extreme weather conditions have significantly disrupted food production and supply chains, underscoring the critical importance of food banks. These challenges have propelled food banks to remain a prominent research focus across various sectors of society, while also necessitating the expansion of their social responsibilities.

The issue of food security transcends borders and affects all of humanity. Therefore, countries worldwide must engage in proactive collaboration and exchanges to address this pressing issue collectively. By fostering friendly exchanges and cooperation, nations can leverage their respective strengths and expertise to tackle food insecurity comprehensively. Developing countries, in particular, stand to benefit from learning and adopting research theories and best practices from leading nations in the field. By embracing the experiences and social practices of developed countries, developing nations can gradually advance the development of food banks, contributing to global efforts to mitigate hunger and food insecurity.

In essence, promoting international cooperation and knowledge sharing in food bank research is essential for nurturing sustainable solutions and ensuring food security for all. This collaborative approach is pivotal in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by food insecurity and in advancing the development of food banks worldwide.

3.2.2. Analysis of the Distribution of Research Institutions

Figure 4 presents the institutional partnerships within the food bank sector. In general, research collaboration networks tend to be more dispersed compared to author collaboration networks. This is primarily because journal papers are often completed by researchers from the same organization, resulting in relatively fewer cross-institution joint publications.

Figure 4 and

Table 3. Statistics on institutional issuance in the field of food banks, 2012–2022.

Organization	Year	Number
Univ Jyvaskyla	2012	9
Univ Sao Paulo	2012	9
Univ Minnesota	2016	9
Jagiellonian Univ	2015	8
Deakin Univ	2014	7
Consejo Nacl Invest Cient & Tecn	2013	7
Wageningen Univ	2018	7
Chinese Acad Sci	2012	7
Univ British Columbia	2017	7
Amount		70

show that the University of Uwaski, the University of St. Paul, and the University of Minnesota lead in publications and journal count, each with nine. The University of Jagir is next, with eight publications. The authors in Table 1 align with the institutions listed in Table 3, confirming their research affiliations. Strengthening cooperation and research result sharing among institutions is vital for advancing food banking research. Such collaborations and knowledge exchanges promote research growth, innovation, and generation of new ideas.

3.3. Keyword Co-Occurrence Analysis

Figure 5, created using CiteSpace software, depicts the keyword co-occurrence network in food bank research. This visualization offers a clear view of keyword frequency and association, facilitating the easy measurement of their relationship strength. The keyword network is extensive, with fewer individual networks than those for author and institutional collaborations. The literature covers major research themes that are evident from keywords. Similar research fields and directions often share primary keywords, leading to a generic structure for the keyword network, with most keywords garnering significant attention. CiteSpace analysis yielded 399 nodes, 1202 connections, and an intensity of 0.0081, suggesting numerous significant keywords and strong correlations within the field.

Table 4. Distribution of keyword co-occurrences in the field of food banking from 2012–2022.

Keywords	Year	Number of Documents/Pieces
Food Bank	2013	94
Food Insecurity	2014	91
Insecurity	2014	81
Food Security	2012	78
Bank	2014	65
Security	2014	65
Health	2013	63
Food	2012	49
Effect	2012	45
Amount		631

displays the most frequent keywords and their respective occurrence counts. These keywords include “Food Bank”, “Food Insecurity”, “Security”, “Health”, and “Food”. The high frequency of “food banks” is closely linked to the global issue of food scarcity, which has become more pronounced due to increased food demand and growing awareness of the need to reduce food waste and loss. The advancement of society has also led to increased attention to food safety and its impact on health. Only by ensuring the quality of food can the recognition of food banks be further enhanced. These interrelationships explain the co-occurrence of the keywords and their close associations. To study and develop food banks, it is crucial to understand the challenges posed by food scarcity, address pressing concerns regarding food safety and consumer health, and raise awareness about the importance of food banks. Additionally, improving food utilization can help alleviate the aforementioned issues and further advance the development of food banks.

3.4. Cluster Analysis of Keywords

Using CiteSpace for the analysis of the literature collection, keywords are automatically extracted to generate clusters of words that represent the focal points of the research. Each cluster represents a closely related, yet independent research area [20]. Figure 6 depicts the clustering map of food bank keywords using CiteSpace, with each cluster differentiated by color. This map provides insight into the distribution of keywords and reveals the strong correlations between them [21]. Figure 6 highlights the larger clusters, namely Food Webs, Food Insecurity, Food Safety, and Food Banks. These clusters will be further analyzed in the following subsections.

Table 5. Keyword clustering statistics for the food bank sector 2012–2022.

Group ID	Scale/Piece	Clustering Degree	Year	Prime Word
0	32	0.869	2015	Food Webs
1	28	0.871	2019	Food Supply Chain
2	23	0.959	2015	Food Insecurity
3	22	0.912	2017	Milk Bank
4	20	0.821	2016	Obesity
5	19	0.905	2018	Food Safety
6	18	0.935	2015	Aquatic insects
7	18	0.936	2015	Pumala virus
8	17	0.895	2017	Food Banks
9	17	0.94	2016	Food Bank

ranks the clusters based on their size, presenting their primary words and the corresponding degree of clustering. It is evident that each cluster exhibits a high degree of aggregation, indicating that scholars in the field have focused their research on these primary words.

3.4.1. Food Webs

The food supply network constitutes an entire system comprising economic interests, from primary producers to consumers of food. It refers to the food production and supply network formed by related enterprises in agriculture, the food processing industry, and the logistics and distribution industry. With advancing times, the core competition in the field of food circulation has evolved from product and network layouts to brand publicity, the development of automation technologies, scientific logistics and distribution, and human-centric supply chain services. While food enterprises face competition, they are also regulated by government departments for food waste control. Many links within the food supply network remain open for improvement.

As such, studying the food supply network has emerged as an important research direction [22] exploring the implementing of Industry 4.0 technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and cybersecurity to address existing challenges in food traceability, transport, and packaging within the food supply network context. The aim is to overcome the key current barriers and provide suitable solutions. Kumar et al. [23] identified modern enablers of food security, safety, and quality that have transformed the food supply chain through IoT and blockchain, helping to reduce hunger. Food network research plays a vital role in both food availability and waste reduction, with the potential for holistic improvement and optimization across all segments under network considerations.

3.4.2. Food Insecurity

Food scarcity has become a common problem globally. The World Bank’s August Food Security Report showed that food prices in many countries and regions worldwide rose by 10% or even 30% compared with the previous year. Many people will have to spend half their income on food in the future due to the food crisis caused by factors such as climate, war, and epidemics. The poor and elderly will face greater food insecurity in this situation. According to the latest National Bureau of Statistics data, China’s Engel coefficient was 29.8% in 2021, fully demonstrating that food demand accounts for a high proportion of people’s daily consumption. Food shortages remain an urgent problem to solve (NBS, 2022). Food security is related to a country’s or region’s economy, people’s livelihoods, and social stability. As the world’s most populous developing country, China produces a quarter of the world’s food and feeds one-fifth of its population. Thus, China’s food security has attracted global attention. However, systematic research on China’s food security has been insufficient.

Domestic scholars Yansui Liu and Zhou Yang systematically identified the key issues facing China’s food (supply) security. They identified potential factors affecting China’s food production and proposed countermeasures to ensure food security. The results showed that over the past 40 years, China’s rural population has decreased significantly, arable land area has decreased in the south and increased in the north, and grain production has fluctuated and increased. China’s food security faces regional, structural, and technological crises, and presents many challenges. Potential factors affecting China’s food security include rapid farmland conversion, aging and weakening of farmers, spatial mismatch of soil and water resources and food production, cyclical and unstable climate change, and uneven spatial coupling of population, land, and food systems. Differentiated and targeted responses should be adopted to address regional and structural issues, ensure food security, and address food scarcity in China [24].

3.4.3. Food Banks

The so-called “food bank” has nothing to do with financial banks but rather refers to a charity organization that distributes food to local people in need. As a social welfare institution, its main purpose is to reduce food waste while helping coordinate and balance food resources between those with insufficient supply and those with sufficient supply. The aim is to enhance the rational distribution and utilization of social resources. Disposing expired or excess food through food banks maximizes food utilization. A systematic review of relevant publications by scholars, such as Chantelle Bazerghi, found that food banks play an essential role in providing immediate solutions to severe food insecurity. However, their capacity to improve overall food security is limited because of the limited amount of nutrient-dense foods provided, especially dairy products, vegetables, and fruits. Food banks have the potential to improve food security if operations are adequately resourced to provide a variety of perishable foods and to identify and meet client needs [25]. With appropriate resources, food banks could better address food insecurity issues in the long run rather than just fulfilling an immediate need. Targeted efforts are needed to distribute different food types based on nutritional requirements.

3.4.4. Food Safety

With improvements in quality of life, food safety has become an issue of increasing concern to people. The existence of food banks has largely improved food utilization; however, ensuring food quality is a prerequisite for their operation. People must be willing to purchase high-quality food even at a higher price. Therefore, ensuring food safety is essential for food banks to function properly. Scholars have studied the root causes, methods, and impacts of food safety from various perspectives. They have discussed food selection and handling from an agricultural perspective, explored hazardous substances in food and storage/production processes, and considered their impacts on food safety.

For example, Xianfeng L et al. [26] took phytophagous food as an example. They selected appropriate testing methods to examine the impact of phytophagous foods on food safety at different stages. Different food safety risk factors may be introduced at different stages, which is highly significant for safeguarding human health and healthy development of emerging industries. Food safety will become increasingly emphasized in the future. It is worthwhile for us to explore food safety in depth for the sake of life, health, and food security. A deep understanding of potential food safety risks and effective prevention measures at various stages are important to ensure a sustainable food supply and public well-being.

3.5. Timeline Analysis of Keywords

We must analyze the clustering distribution and examine the evolution of specific clusters (with size as the selection criterion) over time to observe changes in different keyword clusters. The keyword timeline mapping is shown in Figure 7, with keywords within the same cluster listed horizontally below the year indicated at the top. This shows the timing and intensity of the different keyword occurrences within each related cluster over time.

3.5.1. Food Supply Chain

In this broad category, the keywords clustered in evolutionary timeline order are food webs, Georges Bank, growth, impact, size, and biodiversity. Many countries have been working to establish sustainable food supply chains to ensure food and nutrition security as the environmental burden of food production is significant. Some scholars have studied the relationship between diet quality and health to establish a comprehensive classification of dietary indicators for sustainable nutrition [27].

3.5.2. Food Security

In this broad category, the keywords clustered in chronological order are health, poverty, diet quality, food insecurity, welfare, and adults. Food security is a public health issue and the backbone of food access, availability, and utilization [28]. Food security can be achieved simultaneously at the macro (national) and micro (household and individual) levels. The definition of food security has evolved from a traditional focus on food availability and access to more inclusive measures of nutritional value and stability [29].

3.5.3. Food Banks

In this broad category, the keywords clustered in evolutionary timeline order are assistance, food bank, climate change, banks, food aid, food loss, and trends. According to survey results, the problem of food banks is considered one of the problems of food redistribution and feeding the hungry, and some scholars believe that the “problem” supporting the food banking industry is maintaining the efficiency of the food system [4]. In-depth interviews between food bank actors and users suggest that their interactions are significant [30].

3.6. Burst Word Detection Analysis

By examining keyword mutations in cutting-edge literature, we can track the evolving hotspots of food bank research over the years and chart the current trends in the field. This approach enables us to anticipate future research directions [31]. CiteSpace analysis yielded 13 burst keywords, including the onset and conclusion periods. Generally, these keywords remain hot topics for 2–4 years before giving way to new subjects. The longevity of the keywords “Georges Bank” and “growth” as hot topics from 2012 to the present suggests extensive and well-established research in the field, with a wealth of literature available.

In recent years, epidemics, wars, and other black swan events have also occurred frequently. Governments and the public have become more concerned about the food supply and safety. Word emergence has begun to shift towards keywords such as “Client”, “Emergency Food” and “Nutritional quality”. These keywords also foreshadow future research trends, focusing on both the quantity and quality of food safety (Figure 8), which is in line with the timeline mapping content above. Among the 13 most significant keyword mutations, “Georges Bank” in logistics finance (Figure 9) showed the strongest mutation, with an intensity value of 7.42, ranking first. This demonstrates the importance of empirical research and project implementation in food banks. Overall, keyword mutation analysis can help analyze changing research hotspots, summarize development trends, and predict future directions in the food bank field.

This analysis contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the food bank field. This analytical framework provides insights into the network of researchers, global distribution of expertise, and evolution of research focus over time. It identifies key individuals, institutions, and topics central to the field, highlighting the areas of intensity and development. Such insights are crucial for guiding future research directions, fostering international collaboration, and ensuring the field’s continued growth and impact.

4. Discussion

Analysis of the current state of food bank research using CiteSpace software shows an evolutionary pattern. From 2012 to approximately 2015, the focus was on food health and safety, which then expanded to include food equity and food pantries. A rapid development phase from around 2015 to 2018 saw a shift in the focus on food waste and emergency food security. By 2021, the emphasis had shifted further to food shortage issues, directing research toward the agricultural supply chain. Future trends in food bank research can be examined from three perspectives: the relationship between food banks and food safety; sustainable operational models for food banks; and performance evaluation methods for food banks.

Overall, this reveals an ongoing shift from addressing immediate food access/security challenges to incorporating related upstream and downstream system issues like agriculture, waste reduction, and metrics/standards for the food bank sector itself. A holistic, interdisciplinary, and solutions-oriented research approach is likely to be important for further developing this important field.

4.1. The Relationship between Food Banks and Food Safety

Food banks, as private, non-profit entities, receive, process, store, and distribute food to charities that help feed those at risk of hunger. With growing public concern over food quality and safety, these institutions are now acting as distributors and monitors, assuming duties for quality control and assurance. The need to transport perishable food over long distances to reach remote areas, often exceeding safe transit times, coupled with limited funding, necessitates the exploration of more efficient distribution and collection strategies, as well as the establishment of distribution networks [32]. After collection, proper packaging and cold handling are essential to extend the food’s safe storage period before distribution. Challenges related to long-distance transportation, funding limitations, efficient logistics networks, and maintaining food safety during handling and storage have persisted throughout the evolution of food banks. Collaboration across multiple sectors is crucial to address these ongoing issues, which have consistently posed challenges for food banks to effectively distribute quality food to hungry.

4.2. Sustainable Food Bank Operations

Food banks, as non-profit organizations, can adopt profit-based practices to improve their operational strategies and ensure sustainability. For example, they can adopt more effective pricing mechanisms [32]. Non-profits are vulnerable to issues of scalability and sustainability due to mission and funding constraints. The social purpose of food banks is to help beneficiaries allocate scarce resources to meet client needs fairly and efficiently [33]. However, over-focusing on this could be detrimental to long-term development.

We need to strengthen investments in information technology, establish online operational platforms, improve resource utilization, study coordination mechanisms, and promote cooperation among the relevant entities. This will be more beneficial for long-term development compared to short-term priorities. Innovative management approaches are also needed, such as integrating fun donation features like voluntary labor management, in-kind donations, and charitable auctions.

To operate properly and fulfill time-sensitive missions, food banks rely heavily on volunteers. The key to success lies in effectively utilizing and engaging volunteers. It is essential to improve volunteer enthusiasm, satisfaction, and participation through timely but not excessive communication of opportunities. Feedback should also identify motivators and dissatisfiers to promote organizational development under workforce guarantees. With balanced priorities on sustainability, innovation, cooperation, and volunteer engagement, food banks can better fulfill their important social purpose over the long run.

4.3. Food Bank Operational Performance Evaluation

While food banks are non-profit, a good performance evaluation is crucial for their survival and growth. According to their market positioning, strategic market planning is needed in competitive environments, supported by data modeling to determine differentiation strategies (Filistrucchi & Prüfer 2019 [33]). To avoid financial difficulties, food banks must reduce unnecessary costs. Regulators are paying more attention to streamlining daily management and operations to reduce expenses. Striking the right balance between spending and investment is key to generating income to subsidize operating costs and fulfill social missions. Costs are involved in the pre-construction of offline stores, volunteer recruitment, and food preservation/refrigeration, which requireinvestment. To ensure orderly operations, a reasonable budget is allocated pre-launch, with further distribution to grassroots departments based on general indicators.

When conducting performance evaluations, management decisions should be integrated with professional and input-output decisions using funds as a measurement standard. Both internal and external performance management systems need improvement. With prudent financial management and well-planned investments, non-profits can optimize operations and control spending while still achieving strategic goals through data-driven differentiation and community support. Proper oversight and evaluation allow for continued growth in service quality and social impact over time.

5. Conclusions

This study analyzed many publications on food banks from the field’s origins to the present using the CiteSpace software. This allowed for a quantitative and visual review of the academic achievements and progress. The general trend of worldwide scholarly research on “food banks”, development over the last decade, and current frontiers are thoroughly explained. The future direction of subsequent research is also predicted. In increasingly challenging market environments due to inflation and economic downturns, food banks or similar supermarkets appear on street corners worldwide. Governments have increased support policies for the food bank sector.

Studies on the food bank industry and its development status have shown that the initial research emphasis was on food banks and food security, with the current focus shifting towards agricultural development. Food security remains a key research topic in global discourse on food loss and waste, and the sustainability of food banks is a persistent concern. Socially oriented entrepreneurs are driving food bank initiatives, while responsible scholars are contributing to theoretical research and the construction of operational models to foster mature food banks. Content analysis indicates that the literature on food banks has been growing annually since 2012, with 126 publications in 2021 showing an overall upward trend. There is an increase in the number of authors and collaborative relationships, although there is a need for greater localization and higher levels of overall collaboration. A core group of 124 authors is gradually coalescing.

The United States publishes far more than any country, followed by the UK and Canada. Research on developing countries is lacking relative to that on developed countries, and further theory and practice are needed. Research institution and scholar distribution correlates with the presence of developed countries. Building high-level institutions and platforms will aid in the results. Core journal articles mainly qualitatively study “food supply chain”, “food insecurity”, “food safety”, “food bank” etc. Emergent keywords over time include “Georges Bank”, “growth”, “client”, “emergence food”, and “food waste”. The observation of keywords and emergent words alongside time development lines shows that academic research responds to the global agricultural food loss and waste crisis, with higher food security requirements and deepening research from a sustainability perspective seeking root solutions.

The findings of this study greatly aid in theoretical and empirical studies. Graph visualization studies home and abroad development status and future trends, enriching content. The analysis aids new and old scholars in development and frontier grasp, while guiding practice through a scientific theoretical basis in line with sustainable human development requirements. From a sustainable development perspective, studying food banks is beneficial to understanding their long-term development trends and feasibility. Food banks, as social organizations, hold significant importance in advancing sociological theories and informing public policies. They shed light on the role of non-profit food banks in societal development and the influence of government policies on the sustainability and efficiency of these institutions. Such studies contribute to enriching the theory of consumer behavior by analyzing how individuals make decisions regarding food bank services. By examining the behavioral decision-making processes of individuals utilizing food bank services, researchers can gain insights into consumer behavior dynamics within the context of food insecurity.

Further empirical studies are needed as global inflation also increases rapidly in this industry. The next steps in this research will focus on several key points.

• Inflation’s Impact on Food Bank Development: This research will explore how inflation affects various aspects of food bank operations, including costs, pricing, market demand, and profitability, to understand its impact on sustainability.
• Coping Strategies and Measures: The study will identify effective strategies for food banks to mitigate the adverse effects of inflation, evaluating different approaches to adapting to economic challenges and maintaining development.
• Policy and Environmental Impact: This component will analyze how policy changes and macroeconomic conditions influence inflation dynamics and food bank operations, providing insights into the relationship between economic policy, environmental factors, and food security.
• International Comparisons and Cross-Country Studies: Comparative and cross-country research will be conducted to understand the variations and similarities in the impact of inflation on food banking worldwide, inform multinational strategies, and offer references for policymakers and practitioners in different regions.

Overall, these research objectives aim to deepen our understanding of the complex interrelationships among inflation, policy dynamics, and food bank development, ultimately contributing to the formulation of effective strategies to address economic challenges and promotes sustainable development within the food banking sector.

This study also aims to analyze the findings of scholars regarding food banks within the context of the global food crisis. By examining the existing research and scholarly contributions, this study seeks to provide valuable insights and directions for future research. Furthermore, it aims to offer guidance to governmental departments and food banks to take informed actions and initiatives to address food security challenges.

6. Limitations

For the investigation of food bank research hotspots and trends, the utilization of CiteSpace software for visual analysis has undoubtedly offered valuable insights. However, it is imperative to acknowledge several limitations inherent in this approach.

(1)

Method Selection Bias: CiteSpace visual analysis, being rooted in bibliometrics, is susceptible to the influence of analysis parameters and algorithms chosen. Divergent parameter settings and algorithmic choices can yield disparate analysis outcomes, thereby impacting the interpretation of research patterns, and we can only choose one of the parameters and algorithms that better meet the objectives.

(2)

Limitations of the Analysis Process: Conducting CiteSpace visualization analysis necessitates the judicious selection of analysis parameters tailored to specific research objectives, subject to researcher subjectivity. Consequently, a certain degree of subjective bias may permeate the analysis, compromising its objectivity and credibility.