With our solution, we solve the problem by increasing communication between the farmers and the targeted communities by increasing the speed and efficiency of the transfer of goods. Our app, fittingly named the Virtual Distribution Center or “VDC,” does this by eliminating the need for large distribution centers and computerizing the connection between farmers and grocers. As a result, the two groups are also able to enjoy a level of flexibility and updates from the app. The increased efficiency and speed from the system also decreases the amount of waste as more of the farmed goods can be shipped at a faster pace and more directly, helping to reduce the total amount of waste on farms. The app also ensures a quality check for the food from certified organizations. From these developments and the resulting stronger bond between the two parties, the local farmers are in turn able to benefit from it and be strengthened as a result.
In this COVID-19 situation, many grocery store shelves are empty due to their limited supply, but farms are wasting almost half of their produce. Our team wanted to address the issue of the broken supply chain between farms to grocers and consumers, so we chose this challenge. We first investigated the extent to which the food supply chain was destroyed, and then we specifically studied why the food chain was broken. Afterwards, we tried connecting how COVID-19 disrupts the food supply chain. Then we brainstormed corresponding solutions to the problems we found. Finally, we proposed the "VDC" App plan to solve the problem. In this project, we used data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to provide specific cases of how COVID-19 caused the disruption of the food supply chain. We also used space agency data to help visualize and gather information on how COVID-19 was affecting the food distribution issue to help devise a solution to the problem. In order to solve the impact of COVID-19 on the food supply chain, we plan to develop the "VDC" App. We will use Javascript as the primary programming language. In addition, we will be using html and css to design scripts for the “VDC” App. A problem we had was creating a feasible, innovative solution to combat the food wasted on farms. Our achievement was coming up with the idea of the “VDC” app - virtual distribution center - to combat the issue of food distribution in the supply chain. Specifically, an issue that we had was to ensure “trust” between the farmers and customers. We targeted this issue by having a quality check aspect of the food being transported and having a reliable payment method.