Allen, John W.

Pierson, Thomas R.

English

Research Papers in Economics

Introduction
STUDY OF FOOD LOSSES IN THE DISTRIBUTION PHASES
OF THE U,S, FOOD SYSTEM
by
John W. Allen
Thomas R. Pierson
Michigan State University
In September, 1976, a group of re-
searchers at Michigan State University
initiated a study sponsored by the National
Science Foundation - Research Applied to
National Needs (NSF-RANN). The purpose of
this one and one-half year long project is
to analyze the nature and amount of losses
and waste in the U.S. food system. The
analysis will encompass those activities
which begin at the farm gate and proceed
through processing to, and including, the
ultimate sale of products in supermarkets.
It is expected that subsequentlyan
additional phase of this study will be
conducted, to determine how losses and
wastes may be reduced where economically
feasible.
The study involves an interdisci-
plinary research team, composed of faculty
and students from the followingMichigan
State University academic departments:
Agricultural Engineering,Food Science and
Human Nutrition, Agricultural Economics,
and Marketing and TransportationAdministra-
tion. Industry, government and association
advisors are playing an important role in
guiding research activities.
The research to date has dealt mainly
with collecting and evaluating published
information;although some informationhas
been obtained directly from companies in
food distribution. A research symposium
conducted in May, 1977, brought together
advisors from government, trade associa-
tions, and other academic institutions
who provided information and suggestions
for additional research activities.
Losses in Distribution: Scope and Issues
The emphasis of this study is on the
general quantificationof food losses,
accompanied by suggestions for the kind
of analyses that will be necessary as a
basis for determininghow losses can be
reduced.
Of greatest relevance to this audience
is that part of the study which deals with
the distributionphases of the U.S. food
system--thataspect of the study with
which Allen and Pierson are engaged.
The distribution activities of con-
cern include: (1) Transportationof
food products from food manufacturers,
processors and packers to retailers’ware-
houses and distribution centers; (2)
Warehousing activities and transportation
to supermarkets;and (3) Retailing
activities in supermarkets.
The study evaluates losses in each of
seven major food product categories--dry
groceries, fresh beef, produce, dairy,
bakery, frozen foods and deli.
The following issues relating to food
losses are central to the study, and apply
to each of the three phases of distribution,
as well as to each of the seven food
product categories.
*How large are the physical losses?
February 78/page 96 Journal of Food Distribution Research*HOW large are the dollar Volume losses?
*What are the quality losses?
$c~at are the nutrient losses?
k~at are the causes of these losses; and
how important is each of these causes?
*mat methods or technologiesare Currently
available for loss reduction; and what is
the future potential for gaining applica-
tion of existing technologyand develop-
ing new technology for loss reduction?
*~at barriers or difficultiesexist with
respect to the implementationof new loss
prevention technologiesand techniques?
x~at are some of the broader economic
implicationsof food losses?
Research Approach and Results to Date
The study is being conducted under
the following guidelines. First, it is
preliminary in nature; and the perspective
is broad. A more focused research approach
is almost certain to be necessary in sub-
sequent studies in order to deal with
specific food loss subproblems. Second,
the major task of the project is to
gather and integrate existing information
and knowledge to form as complete as
possible a picture of the losses situation
in food distribution,and one which uti-
lized compatible and comparable data and
information. Third, major food loss
problem areas are being identified;and
where appropriate, recommendationsfor
problem solutions are offered. Where
existing knowledge makes recommendations
for direct solutions impossible, sugges-
tions are made for further, more detailed
research,
Research efforts thus far have dealt
with information from university, govern-
ment, industry and trade publications.
These findings are presented in “summary
papers” for each of the seven major food
product categories: dry groceries, fresh
beef, produce, dairy, bakery, frozen
foods and deli. The stumnary papers are
being used to further the research ob-
jectives. They are useful devises to
explain to knowledgeablepersons where
the many research gaps and unanswered
questions exist. Selected persons in
food distribution firms, universities and
government shortly will be provided one
or more of these papers and asked to
provide informationand guidance. This
method currently is being accomplished
with two large supermarket firms with
successful results.
To date, the compilation of informa-
tion lacks completeness. More informa-
tion is needed to develop a comprehensive
analysis. A serious problem is the dif-
ficulty in many instances to integrate
data and information into a useful com-
posite.
Members of FDRS are Invited to
Suggest Information and Ideas
The assistance on the part of
knowledgeablepersons from organizations
related to food distribution is needed
in order to close the informationgaps
that exist in the study. Suggestions by
members of the FDRS for developing a more
complete assessment of food losses in
U.S. food distribution channels are wel-
comed.
A questionnaireis attached which
FDRS members are invited to use as a
means for conveying their ideas and know-
ledge of this subject. The questionnaire
provides a means for FDRS members to
request one or more of the summary reports
which may be used as a basis for evaluat-
ing the current state of research findings.
Journal of Food Distribution Research February 78/page 97FDRS MEMBER QUESTIONNAIRE
You are invited to provide informa-
tion and suggestionsrelative to the
Study of Losses in the Distribution
Phases of the U.S. Food System. Please
make your notations on this sheet, if you
wish, and fold, staple and mail.
With respect to one or more of the
following product categories,please
express your observations;or suggest
sources of data and references.
(Check one or more of the listed
product categories to obtain summary
papers of the research findings to date.)
Dry Groceries; Fresh Beef; Produce; — — —
Dairy; _Bakery; _Frozen Foods; _Deli —
*How large are the physical losses?
*How large are the dollar volume losses?
*What are thequality losses?
*what are the nutrient losses?
February 78/page 98
*w’hat are the causes of these losses;
and how important is each of these
causes?
*What methods or technologiesare cur-
rently available for loss reduction; and
what is the future potential for gaining
application of
developing new
reduction?
existing technology and -
technology for loss
*what barriers or difficulties exist
with respect to the implementationof
new loss prevention technologiesand
techniques?
*what are some of the broader economic
implicationsof food losses?
**********
Journal of Food Distribution Research

STUDY OF FOOD LOSSES IN THE DISTRIBUTION PHASES OF THE U.S. FOOD SYSTEM

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Research Papers in Economics