Soon after the pandemic started, who can forget the grocery store experience? The store shelves seemed to be empty overnight. Many foods have become unavailable, including canned soups and vegetables, grains, fruits, and especially meat. As employees contracted COVID-19, the processing plant on which the grocery store’s meat counter relied was suddenly closed or production slowed sharply.

Moody's analysis warned that due to port congestion and a nationwide shortage of truck drivers, more global disruptions are imminent. Experts also claim that there is no quick or clear solution. In fact, some people think this is the new norm.

But the problem is not the supply of food. The problem lies in the food supply chain. The latest figures from the US Department of Agriculture show that farmers produced 55 million pounds of red meat and 43 million pounds of chicken—enough to supply 185 pounds of meat for every man, woman, and child in the United States. [1] Despite this, 85% of the country's beef is processed by only four companies. Four! [2] Any problems in the supply chain—even if the supply itself is not interrupted—will definitely appear on the grocery store shelves.

This is why a strong local supply chain like Market Wagon is important. Market Wagon is an online farmer’s market function. By delivering meat, vegetables, dairy products and other food directly to customers’ homes, farmers and food producers can thrive in local communities without having to walk behind the grocery store. The long and expensive method today. At the beginning of the pandemic, Market Wagon was in six cities in the Midwest. But we quickly realized that the demand was so huge and urgent, so in the next 18 months we expanded to more than 30 other cities. When the traditional supply chain dried up overnight, not only farmers, catering suppliers and restaurants also believed that Market Wagon saved their family business.

There is a lot of food there, not only meat, but also fruits, vegetables and dairy products. Consumers only need a more reliable way to obtain directly from farmers and food producers. When restaurants and farmers’ markets were closed due to the pandemic, many small family farms had nowhere to distribute food. They rot in the field or are discarded.

So yes, pay close attention to the global supply chain. After all, we all need toilet paper. But when it comes to food, you don't have to rely on crowded ports or a sufficient number of semi-drivers. There is a farmer who may be on the road for a few minutes, where there are a lot of meat and agricultural products. Believe me, you may also taste the difference.

Nick Carter is the co-founder and CEO of Market Wagon, an online marketplace that directly connects food consumers with local farmers and artisans. 

Soon after the pandemic started, who can forget the grocery store experience? The store shelves seemed to be empty overnight. Many foods have become unavailable, including canned soups and vegetables, grains, fruits, and especially meat. ...

A division of IBJ Media within Indiana Business

1 Monument Circle, Suite 300 Indianapolis, IN 46204

Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service