Food System Impacts of COVID-19

从恐慌性购买到短缺，无论是真实的还是人们认为的，COVID-19正在食品系统上留下印记。虽然媒体关注的是零售业，但食品制造、加工、包装和分销部门也感受到了冲击。在封锁的头几周，有牛奶公司取消了与农民的合同，但其他公司的超市销售需求增加。渔民们已经看到英国和欧盟对餐馆业海鲜的需求枯竭。有些人正在寻求建立新的零售网点，如送货上门，其他人据报道没有钓鱼。我们需要非常迅速地了解奶制品、鱼、面粉、水果和蔬菜以及肉类的供应链是如何适应的。至关重要的是，可能需要采取什么步骤来确保食品继续到达商店，并确保食品工人和消费者的公平？我们将与一个专家小组合作，以获得和分享有关食品供应的信息，我们将采访那些在该行业工作的人。我们的每月公报将突出良好做法和关切领域，因为我们在危机中努力建立一个有弹性和公平的粮食体系。

From panic buying to shortages, real or perceived, COVID-19 is leaving its mark on the food system. Whilst media attention has been on retail, the shock has also been felt in the food manufacture, processing, packaging and distribution sectors. In the first weeks of lock-down there have been cases of milk companies cancelling contracts with farmers but other companies have experienced increased demand from supermarket outlets. Fishermen have seen the demand for seafood from the restaurant trade in the UK and the EU dry up. Some are seeking to establish new retail outlets such as home delivery, others are reported not to be fishing. We need to know very rapidly how the supply chain for dairy, fish, flour, fruit and vegetables, and meat is adapting. Critically, what steps might be required to ensure food continues to reach shops and that there is fairness for food workers and for consumers? We will work with a panel of experts to gain and share information about food supplies, and we will interview those working in the industry. Our monthly bulletins will highlight both good practice and areas of concern as we work towards a resilient and fair food system in the crisis.