The Brief – May 2023

Pallet-level Monitoring – Part One

Maximizing Delivered Shelf-life in the End-to-End Fresh Food Supply Chain

By Bill McBeath

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Pallet-level monitoring enables smarter approaches to distribution—i.e., ‘Intelligent Distribution’ and FEFO inventory management (First Expired, First Out)—as well as providing the data needed to optimize end-to-end processes for maximum shelf life. Implementing these approaches can cut spoilage losses in half for retailers and growers. Here in Part One of this 2-part series, we look at why temperature monitoring should be done at a pallet level across the end-to-end cold chain, from the point of harvest to the final destination point for the pallet. [Read Pallet-level Monitoring – Part One]

Environmental Markets – Part One

Are Market Mechanisms a Solution for Addressing Collective Action Problems?

Supply chain leaders are often in a position to lobby for or influence public policies. What approach to public policies is in their best interest when dealing with ‘tragedy of the commons’ issues, such as pollution or resource depletion? Markets for environmental quality such as Cap and Trade carbon markets enlist the efficiency of market forces to address these collective issues. Is it better to continue business-as-usual/laissez-faire, support regulatory solutions, or advocate for market-based solutions? Here we explore the tradeoffs. [Read Environmental Markets – Part One]

Realizing Africa’s Potential – Part One

Endemic Corruption and Conflict Frustrates Africa’s Tremendous Potential

Africa possesses vital natural and human resources that the rest of the world will desperately need this century. Africa’s tremendous untapped potential is sadly being decimated by autocratic regimes, endemic corruption, and civil wars. Profits from natural resources are pilfered by despots and their supporters, rather than being reinvested in African countries’ infrastructure, education, and healthcare. [Read Realizing Africa’s Potential – Part One]