Understanding the Northern Perishable-Food Supply Chain: A Scoping Review of Challenges and Drivers of Change

Abstract

In northern (including Arctic) Canada, remote communities face significant challenges in accessing perishable foods that meet national food-security standards. Geographic isolation and harsh climatic conditions exacerbate issues related to the affordability, adequacy, and availability of fresh produce in these communities. This scoping review evaluates the challenges within the northern perishable food supply chain (NPFSC), examining demand and supply factors and major drivers of change. A comprehensive literature search across four major databases, with no time restrictions, yielded 105 relevant records from academic and grey literature. On the demand side, challenges include food insecurity, dietary shifts from traditional foods to lower-quality store-bought items, a scarce food environment, and northern consumers’ preferences. On the supply side, key challenges involve transportation, last-mile delivery, product perishability, cold-chain management, and limitations in retail outlets. Together, these issues contribute to the unaffordability, low adequacy, and limited availability of fresh produce. This research highlights key drivers of change, including climate change, societal shifts, geopolitical interests, and policy developments, and examines their impacts on transportation, retail, consumption patterns, and the overall supply chain. Recommendations emphasize developing adaptive supply-chain strategies that incorporate local knowledge and technological innovations to enhance food security. Policy improvements should refine subsidy programs and explore local food production options, among other considerations. A comprehensive framework has been developed to guide stakeholders in addressing these challenges and improving food security in northern communities. This analysis lays the foundation for future studies and policies aimed at boosting the resilience and sustainability of northern food systems.