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  • Queen's University Belfast

Understanding Food Supply Chains in a Time of Crisis

Learn how agri-food supply chains deal with crises and get practical advice on how you can minimise disruption during COVID-19.

4,180 enrolled on this course

A woman arrives with a full bag of shopping at another woman's door
  • Duration

    2 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours
  • Accreditation

    AvailableMore info
The CPD Certification Service

This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.

Explore contingency plans for ensuring food security during COVID-19 in Europe.

Please note this course runs without facilitation

Movement restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus are leading to an increase in food stockpiling, and there are concerns the agri-food supply chain won’t keep up with demand.

On this course, you’ll learn how the pandemic is challenging food supply chains and explore the steps taken by the industry to ensure food security and integrity.

You’ll discover the complexity of the agri-food supply chains and understand its codependency with other sectors such as transportation and packaging.

You’ll also hear from companies making a difference with innovative digital food services and solutions.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Mapping of the Agri-Food Supply Chains

    • Hello sign on a wall

      Welcome to the course

      Find out about what you will be learning, who will be guiding you and how the course is taught.

    • A hand full of grain

      The Agri-Food Supply Chain

      An introduction to which stakeholders are involved in the agri-food supply chains

    • a man using a microscope

      Challenges of the Agri-Food Supply Chain

      Explore some of the challenges facing the agri-food supply chains

    • a man completing a checklist

      Robustness of the Agri-Food Supply Chain

      How robust are the agri-food supply chains ? Explore how food that is safe to eat reaches your plate.

    • 2 young ladies working on a computer

      Review and reflect

      Over the past week, you have explored the challenges faced by the stakeholders of the agri-food supply chains. It is now time to reflect on what you have learnt.

  • Week 2

    Food Scandals and Crisis Situations

    • Hello

      Week 2

      Hello and welcome to week 2 of the course. This week we will explore food scandals and crisis situations.

    • 1 supermarket alley with empty shelves

      Food Scandals and Crisis Situations

      There are a number of control measures in place to ensure the integrity of our food chain. However, inadequacies in food quality, safety, authenticity and defence still exist. We will explore these scandals and crisis situations.

    • a keyboard touch with the words "contingency plan" on it

      Contingency Plans for Covid-19

      Covid-19 is a health crisis. However, it has the potential to become a food crisis if suitable control measures are not put in place. We will use the Covid-19 pandemic as an example of how the food industry adapts in an emergency.

    • Consumers shopping in a supermarket

      Consumers : our role and our impact on the agri-food chain and how a crisis influences us

      In this activity we will explore the impact consumers have on the agri-food supply chains, as well as their role and the consequences of a food crisis on the food that reaches their tables.

    • thank you card

      Review and reflect

      Over the final week of this course, you have looked at adaptation measures put in place in response to food crises. It is now time to reflect on what you have learnt.

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service
The CPD Certification Service:

The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Identify the stakeholders and reflect on the complexity of the food supply chains
  • Asssess the consequences of a crisis on the integrity of the food supply chains
  • Reflect on how you could contribute to a food supply chain solution.
  • Describe the innovations that are helping stakeholders of the agri-food supply chains cope with increased demand
  • Evaluate your own personal contribution to improving the sustainability of the food supply chain
  • Explore the policies of national governments and the EU helping to improve the sustainability of the food system in your country

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for all EU consumers and citizens who are concerned about where their food comes from when normal life is disrupted.

It will be of particular interest to anyone looking for reliable information about how the agri-food supply chains ensure that food reaches our plates during crisis situations.

No prior knowledge is required on the subject to follow this course.

If you’re looking to expand your knowledge on this topic, you might also find of interest the following EIT Food courses on food system:

Who will you learn with?

Chris Elliott

I am Professor of Food Safety at Queen's University, Belfast and Director of the Institute for Global Food Security

Michaela Fox

Michaela is a Lecturer in Education working on the development of EITFOOD education programmes. Her background is in food science and research at the Institute for Global Food Security.

Simona Grasso

I am a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development at the University of Reading. I am a food scientist interested in developing new healthy and sustainable foods.

Alice Mauchline

I am an Associate Professor in the School of
Agriculture, Policy and Development at the University of Reading.
My research focuses on co-developing sustainable agricultural systems.

Luca Cocolin

I’m a professor in food microbiology at the University of Torino, Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences. My research focuses on food safety and microbial ecology of fermented foods.

Who developed the course?

EIT Logo

EIT Food

EIT Food is Europe’s leading food initiative, working to make the food system more sustainable, healthy and trusted.

Queen's University Belfast

Queen's University Belfast

Queen’s University Belfast is a member of the Russell Group of 24 leading UK research-intensive universities.

Endorsers and supporters

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University of Reading

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Learning on FutureLearn

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