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The supply chain network evolution of a food banking network
Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613920528695296 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Jansen van Vuuren, Ane |
| author2 | Grobbelaar, Sara |
| author_browse | Grobbelaar, Sara Jansen van Vuuren, Ane |
| author_facet | Grobbelaar, Sara Jansen van Vuuren, Ane |
| author_sort | Jansen van Vuuren, Ane |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134641 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:43:48.768Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134641 The supply chain network evolution of a food banking network Jansen van Vuuren, Ane Grobbelaar, Sara Vermeulen, Euodia Argueta, C. Mejia Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Industrial Engineering. Food banks Supply chain management Food security Food industry and trade Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. Jansen van Vuuren, A. 2025.The Supply Chain Network Evolution of a Food Banking Network. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/742be82a-6f26-4ad8-b1bf-11a0ab39a312 ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Research on food banks often neglects the complexity of their growth and organisational structure. Understanding how these systems develop and function is crucial for tackling food insecurity and reducing food waste. This study aims to predict how the Supply Chain Network (SCN) of a food bank will evolve and its implications for overall Supply Chain Network Design (SCND). Utilising realworld data from FoodForward South Africa, it contributes to the understanding of food bank SCNs in developing countries, such as South Africa. Different scenarios are explored by employing agent-based modelling and a Minimum Cost Flow Network (MCFN) model. A simulation model is developed to forecast the evolution of the food bank's SCN over time based on different scenarios. The MCFN model is then used to determine the optimal allocation of food resources throughout the network while minimising transportation costs. As a result, this study makes a significant research contribution by integrating linear optimisation techniques with simulation modelling. These methodologies provide insights into more effcient food allocation and management, enhancing food assistance programs and addressing food insecurity. The study indicates that while the food bank network is progressing, there is a need for these organisations to reconsider their current strategies. A shift from a rigid approach to a more flexible and differentiated strategy to their SCND could help them better adapt to the challenges they encounter. Restructuring the food bank's network to connect warehouses with collection points outside their province can reduce transport costs by approximately 33%. This streamlined approach allows multiple warehouses to serve specific collection points, improving logistical efficiency. Consequently, the results suggest that if the food bank permits these changes, it can significantly enhance network effciency and reduce transportation costs. The results show that while addressing food insecurity in vulnerable groups can provide short-term relief, it may increase the vulnerability of other populations in the long term. Consequently, a one-size-fits-all approach for warehouses is ineffective, as each operates in a unique environment. Food banks must assess the impact of new strategies on individual warehouses before implementation, necessitating a differentiated approach if they prioritise specific BOs. A new distribution strategy is proposed to enhance network effectiveness by adding nodes to manage increased supply from micro-hubs near clusters of suppliers. Instead of making many small trips to collect food, supplies will be delivered to these hubs and then transported in bulk to food bank warehouses. This approach reduces transportation costs and minimises congestion at the warehouses. The research indicates that strategic planning and informed decision-making can enhance the strategic capacity of food banks' SCNs, thereby improving their effectiveness in addressing food insecurity. Food banks should be viewed as interconnected networks that require comprehensive planning for sustainable operation. By adopting a proactive approach, they can provide immediate relief while also contributing to long-term food security. This requires collaboration among stakeholders, optimised resources, and innovative practices. For food banks to remain effective as a first-response mechanism, they must develop frameworks that promote resilience and sustainability in addressing food insecurity. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Navorsing oor voedselbanke verwaarloos dikwels die kompleksiteit van hul groei en organisatoriese struktuur. Om te verstaan hoe hierdie stelsels ontwikkel en funksioneer, is noodsaaklik om voedselsekuriteit aan te spreek en voedselvermorsing te verminder. Hierdie studie het ten doel om te voorspel hoe die voorsieningsketting netwerk (VKN) van 'n voedselbank sal ontwikkel, en watter implikasies dit vir die ontwerp van die algehele VKN het. Met behulp van werklike data van FoodForward Suid-Afrika dra die studie by tot 'n beter begrip van voedselbank-VKN'e in ontwikkelende lande soos Suid-Afrika. Verskillende scenario's word ondersoek deur gebruik te maak van agent-gebaseerde modellering en 'n Minimumkoste-vloeinetswerk (MKVN) model. 'n Simulasie-model is ontwikkel om die evolusie van die voedselbank se VKN oor tyd te voorspel, gebaseer op verskillende scenario's. Die MKVN-model word gebruik om die optimale toewysing van voedselbronne deur die netwerk te bepaal, terwyl vervoerkoste geminimaliseer word. Hierdie studie lewer 'n betekenisvolle bydrae deur lineêre optimisering met simulasie-modellering te integreer. Hierdie metodologieë bied insigte in meer doeltre ende voedseltoewysing en -bestuur, wat voedselhulpprogramme versterk en voedselsekuriteit aanspreek. Die bevindings toon dat, hoewel die voedselbanknetwerk vorder, daar 'n behoefte is vir organisasies om hul huidige strategieë te heroorweeg. 'n Verskuiwing van 'n rigiede na 'n meer buigsame en gedi erensieerde benadering tot hul VKN-ontwerp kan hulle help om beter aan te pas by uitdagings. Die herstrukturering van die netwerk om pakhuise met versamelpunte buite hul provinsie te verbind, kan vervoerkoste met sowat 33% verminder. Hierdie gestroomlynde benadering stel verskeie pakhuise in staat om spesi eke versamelpunte te bedien, wat logistieke doeltre endheid verbeter. Indien die voedselbank hierdie veranderinge implementeer, kan netwerkdoeltre endheid beduidend verbeter en vervoerkoste verminder word. Verder toon die resultate dat die aanspreek van voedselsekuriteit onder kwesbare groepe korttermynverligting kan bied, maar ander bevolkings op lang termyn meer kwesbaar kan maak. 'n Een-groottepas-almal-benadering vir pakhuise is dus nie doeltre end nie, aangesien elkeen in 'n unieke omgewing funksioneer. Voedselbanke moet die impak van nuwe strategieë op individuele pakhuise beoordeel voordat dit geïmplementeer word, wat 'n gedi erensieerde benadering noodsaak indien sekere begunstigdes prioritiseer word. 'n Nuwe verspreidingsstrategie word voorgestel om netwerkdoeltre endheid te verbeter deur nodusse by te voeg om die verhoogde aanbod vanaf mikro-hubs naby verska ergroepe te bestuur. In plaas daarvan dat baie klein ritte gemaak word om kos te versamel, sal voorrade by hierdie hubs afgelewer en dan in grootmaat na die pakhuise vervoer word. Hierdie metode verminder vervoerkoste en beperk opeenhoping by die pakhuise. Die studie toon dat strategiese beplanning en ingeligte besluitneming die strategiese kapasiteit van voedselbanke se VKN'e kan versterk, en sodoende hul doeltre endheid om voedselsekuriteit aan te spreek verbeter. Voedselbanke moet beskou word as onderling-verbonde netwerke wat omvattende beplanning vir volhoubare werking vereis. Deur 'n proaktiewe benadering te volg, kan hulle nie net onmiddellike verligting bied nie, maar ook bydra tot langtermyn-voedselsekuriteit. Dit verg samewerking tussen belanghebbendes, geoptimaliseerde hulpbronne en innoverende praktyke. Vir voedselbanke om e ektief te bly as eerste-reaksiemeganismes, moet hulle raamwerke ontwikkel wat veerkragtigheid en volhoubaarheid in die aanspreek van voedselsekuriteit bevorder. Masters 2025-12-19T14:17:59Z 2025-12-19T14:17:59Z 2025-12 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134641 en Stellenbosch University 188 pages : illustrations application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Food banks Supply chain management Food security Food industry and trade Jansen van Vuuren, Ane The supply chain network evolution of a food banking network |
| title | The supply chain network evolution of a food banking network |
| title_full | The supply chain network evolution of a food banking network |
| title_fullStr | The supply chain network evolution of a food banking network |
| title_full_unstemmed | The supply chain network evolution of a food banking network |
| title_short | The supply chain network evolution of a food banking network |
| title_sort | supply chain network evolution of a food banking network |
| topic | Food banks Supply chain management Food security Food industry and trade |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134641 |
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