Applying Value Stream Mapping to reduce food losses and wastes in supply chains: A systematic review.
The interest to reduce food losses and wastes has grown considerably in order to guarantee adequate food for the fast growing population. A systematic review was used to show the potential of Value Stream Mapping (VSM) not only to identify and reduce food losses and wastes, but also as a way to establish links with nutrient retention in supply chains. The review compiled literature from 24 studies that applied VSM in the agri-food industry. Primary production, processing, storage, food service and/or consumption were identified as susceptible hotspots for losses and wastes. Results further revealed discarding and nutrient loss, most especially at the processing level, as the main forms of loss/waste in food, which were adapted to four out of seven lean manufacturing wastes (i.e. defect, unnecessary inventory, overproduction and inappropriate processing). This paper presents the state of the art of applying lean manufacturing practices in the agri-food industry by identifying lead time as the most applicable performance indicator. VSM was also found to be compatible with other lean tools such as Just-In-Time and 5S which are continuous improvement strategies, as well as simulation modelling that enhances adoption. In order to ensure successful application of lean practices aimed at minimizing food or nutrient losses and wastes, multi-stakeholder collaboration along the entire food supply chain is indispensable.
Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Hans
H
De Steur
Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Mountains of the Moon University, Fort Portal, Uganda. Electronic address: Joshua.Wesana@UGent.be.
Joshua
J
Wesana
College of Business, Arts & Social Sciences, Brunel Business School, Brunel University, London, United Kingdom.
Manoj K
MK
Dora
Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Darian
D
Pearce
Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Xavier
X
Gellynck
D000383:Agriculture; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005511:Food Handling / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D005523:Food Supply / Q000379:methods*; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods
Food loss; Food supply chain; Food waste; Lean manufacturing; Nutrient loss; Value Stream Mapping