Design of a Nanostores’ Delivery Service Network for Food Supplying in COVID-19 Times: A Linear Optimization Approach

Granados-Rivera, D.; Mejía, G.; Tinjaca, L.; Cárdenas, N.

This work aims the implementation of a facility location mathematical model to improve the fruit and vegetable (F&V) demand coverage using the delivery service in the traditional channel (nanostores) and considering the changes caused by the COVID-19. It is a relevant topic due to the constraints related to social distance employed by many governments to avoid spread and ensure food security. The mathematical model has the objective to enhance the spatial distribution of nanostores for increasing the accessibility and availability of F&V through the delivery service. We used Chía and Cajicá as case studies, two towns of the Sabana Centro Region in Colombia's central part. The results indicate that implementing the delivery service in less than 40% of nanostores is achieved the total geographical coverage of both towns, improving the critical zones such as peripherical areas. However, to enhance the demand coverage (food tons), the delivery service is necessary for more than 50% of all nanostores. © 2021, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.