Sustainability in Food Security and Food Supply Chain

Dear Colleagues,

1. Introduction, including scientific background and highlighting the importance of this research area. Food security is one of the most important aspects of the strategic initiatives of countries worldwide. Achieving sustainable food security requires the creation of strategic initiatives by mapping the vulnerabilities of the food supply chain system and thus improving the resiliency of it (Wahbah et al. 2022). Despite the challenges that are present in the agrifood systems and agricultural supply chain industry, the need for creative solutions, technology, innovation in production and distribution, and sustainable consumption could impact the agrifood system in multiple ways in terms of sustainability (Ammar et al. 2023). There is a scarcity of research with this focus conducted by academics and practitioners and, therefore, this Special Issue calls for research and action from stakeholders. This call will support the need for current and future agricultural food systems and supply chains through local and regional food system development with a focus on redesigning end-to-end food supply chains.   
2. Aim of the Special Issue and how the subject relates to the journal scope. The research included in this Special Issue should aim to address the imperative aspects of the Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs), including Goal #1: no poverty, Goal #2: zero hunger, Goal #3: good health and well-being, and Goal 12: responsible consumption and production. This Special Issue’s scope will address these important SDG goals from both an academic and industry standpoint through an array of research methods and applications. As research is scarce in this area, this Special Issue will address this research gap and could thus create impact for Sustainability and will open doors for further research.   
3. Suggest themes. In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:  

• Technological innovations in food security and agrifood supply chains.
• Theoretical investigations into consumer-centric food supply chains, with a sustainability focus.
• Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method applications of sustainable food supply chain operations.
• Barriers and drivers to the adoption of sustainability practices in food supply chains.
•  Food safety interventions for the sustainable fulfilment of the rising consumer needs for safe, healthy, and nutritional food supplies.
• Public policy-making paradigms and emerging debates on sustainable food SC.
• Data-driven digital implementations that ensure food transparency and traceability for sustainability.
• Ethnography and grounded theory in food security studies.
• Food waste assessment of end-to-end food supply chains.
• Studying sustainable carbon footprints in the agrifood sector and circular supply chains.                     

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

References

Ammar, K. A., Kheir, A. M., Ali, B. M., Sundarakani, B., & Manikas, I. (2023). Developing an analytical framework for estimating food security indicators in the United Arab Emirates: a review. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 1-20.
Wahbeh, S., Anastasiadis, F., Sundarakani, B., & Manikas, I. (2022). Exploration of food security challenges towards more sustainable food production: A systematic literature review of the major drivers and policies. Foods, 11(23), 3804.

Prof. Dr. Balan Sundarakani
Guest Editor

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• food security
• agrifood supply chain
• resiliency
• framework for food supply chains
• sustainability
• technology’s role in food supply
• urban farming
• creative solutions for food security
• sustainable food production and consumption