USDA Funds Research Into How to Equitably Provide Safe Food Amid Supply Chain Shocks
A transdisciplinary team of researchers, educators, and extension experts led by Michigan State University (MSU) has received a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create safer, more stable food systems. The five-year integrated project is funded through the Sustainable Agricultural Systems program of the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Food systems at the local and regional levels are susceptible to a number of disruptions, which researchers refer to as “shocks.” The COVID-19 pandemic, climate events, and foodborne pathogens are examples of shocks that can cause disturbances in supply chains, ultimately leading to food safety and security challenges. An example of such a disruption was seen recently during the 2022 infant formula crisis in the U.S.