INNOVATING URBAN FOOD SUPPLY CHAINS
COVID-19 has emphasized the significance of resilience in the food supply chain. To ensure communities are healthy and have access to quality food, thorough and ground-breaking systems need to be in place. The pandemic is a reminder that our reliance on food needs to take into account sustainable and ecologically ratified practices. In these unprecedented times, Uniworld Logistics has kept the farm to fork strategy at the heart of its operational plans; leveraging its years of expertise and the power of local food eco-systems in India to ensure last-mile food delivery.
The Covid Lockdown imposed in India since mid-March 2020 has had a significant impact on the food delivery cycle in India. On the one hand, there is a tendency for consumers to stockpile on food. On the other hand, the capacity to meet the growing demand has plummeted. Across the country, the agriculture industry is apprehensive about logistic issues, be it to transport raw materials across closed borders or having enough human capital to keep their facilities operational and perishables moving. In April 2020, rural and semi-urban farmers around the hugely- populated Indian city of Bengaluru had almost reached a dead end. The unprecedented transport restrictions obstructed their supply chain, thereby impeding their capacity to deliver fresh fruits and vegetables in time.
In the times of a global pandemic, it is pertinent that we remain flexible in our approach. At Uniworld, we are continually raising the bar to ensure quality through innovation. Farm to fork strategies, therefore seemed like the perfect solution. With growing optimism, we viewed the hurdles as mini opportunities to create a local food supply chain process that was economically viable and business-driven while positively contributing to the environment and community health.
Our focus was on providing urban families with easy access to healthy and sustainable food options, without the hassle of stepping out of houses and exposure to the virus. Along with partners and agents, we leveraged the power of locally available food options; thereby paving the journey for farmers and customers to adapt to the new normal. We liaised with the local Government, seeking official permission to deliver fresh fruits & vegetables to gourmet stores and urban apartment complexes in Bengaluru.
Our team aided the farmers in sorting local produce under controlled settings. This was later transported to our collection centres in temperature-regulated trucks whilst ensuring sterile packaging. Care was taken to adhere to the strictest hygiene and sanitary measures. At regular intervals and stipulated hours, Uniworld trucks transported the goods to urban housing complexes across Bengaluru.
A plethora of options was provided to customers keeping in mind their preferences, health requirements. In addition to local produce, exotic veggies like Mushrooms, Baby Corn, Leeks, and Parsley were available. To cater to different palates, options like Pesto-Pasta Basket, Salad Basket, Micro-greens, and Thai Basket etc. were made available. Once the lockdown was eased, distribution to local restaurants was initiated.
Every effort was made to ensure that the locally available foods supported the local communities, thereby contributing to affordable food choices, bio-diversity loss reversal, a sustainable food system and a positive environmental impact.
The business model proved to be a win-win scenario for all parties. Customers were provided with fresh, locally sourced options without stepping out of their safety zones. Farmers could bypass the role of mediators, therefore receiving fairer prices. The disruptions caused were buoyed by the Uniworld Logistics team, thereby proving to be an economically viable solution for the organization.
This hugely successful initiative has been incredibly gratifying, helping us restructure our strategies. In the future, Uniworld aims to explore food security, supply chains and agriculture through our farm to fork programs. Our extensive know-how and wide-ranging experience will enable us to compile the most effective transport solutions to suit the needs of the hour.