Design of a distribution network for the school lunch program


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Karadag A., Akdere E.

Journal of Engineering Research (Kuwait), vol.11, no.2, pp.252-263, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 11 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.36909/jer.12815
  • Journal Name: Journal of Engineering Research (Kuwait)
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Arab World Research Source, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Page Numbers: pp.252-263
  • Keywords: Facility Location, K-Means Clustering Method, Modeling, School Lunch Program
  • Gazi University Affiliated: No

Abstract

The national school lunch program (NSLP) is crucial for providing healthy, inexpensive, or free lunches to children, thus benefiting society. Designing a distribution network for the program requires solving a location and routing problem. In this paper, first, we formulate a multi-objective non-linear integer programming formulation of the problem. Next, we develop a two-step approach since the problem is Np-hard. The first stage presents a K-mean clustering method that deals with routing decisions by determining the locations of food processing centers and allocating schools to these centers. The second stage offers a multi-objective mixed-integer linear mathematical model for finding the locations of distribution centers. Besides economic and environmental factors, we optimize travel time in the network as perishable items are involved. A weighted sum approach is presented for different weights of objectives. We provide a real case study in Turkey to demonstrate the applicability of the two-stage approach proposed in this study. The numerical results provide valuable information for decision-makers and authorities to prioritize and prepare action plans.