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Modeling sustainable fresh produce supply chain systems in the Northeast U.S

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  • Liang, Haoyue
  • Ge, Houtian
  • Gomez, Miguel I.
  • Peters, Christian J.

Abstract

Efficient facility location is vital for optimizing perishable fresh produce supply chains, especially in regions with fragmented production and dense demand. This study develops a mixed-integer programming framework to identify cost-optimal food hub locations and capacities for the U.S. fresh produce supply chain, with a particular focus on the New York–New England (NY–NE) region. The model integrates spatially resolved data on production, trade, and consumption across nine food categories and applies a two-tiered resolution strategy: national-scale aggregation using Major Land Resource Areas and Grocery Marketing Areas, and county-level disaggregation within NY–NE. Results reveal a hub-and-spoke network shaped by cost efficiencies, with strategic hubs emerging in both production-heavy and consumption-dense areas. The NY–NE sub model highlights the region's heavy reliance on long-distance sourcing and the need for region-specific infrastructure planning. By linking optimization with granular flow analysis, this work advances supply chain modeling for regional food resilience and cost-effective distribution planning.

Suggested Citation

  • Liang, Haoyue & Ge, Houtian & Gomez, Miguel I. & Peters, Christian J., 2025. "Modeling sustainable fresh produce supply chain systems in the Northeast U.S," 2025 AAEA & WAEA Joint Annual Meeting, July 27-29, 2025, Denver, CO 361063, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:aaea25:361063
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.361063
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    References listed on IDEAS

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