From the Editor: A New Meaning to Supply Chain Issues and Food Shortages

The world changed in February 2020 when a ­virus emerged that would infect the world. The world changed yet again on February 24, 2022, when Putin’s Russia initiated a “special military operation” against Ukraine.

I wondered how to write about this; there will be devastating food shortages to be sure, but others will cover that. Maybe Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s inspirational leadership is where I should focus. He is the glue holding his country together, but many have already pointed this out.

One thing has become clear to me: Russia is awful at logistics. Tanks are abandoned for lack of fuel. Russian troops seem to lack basic rations; they were ordered to pack parade uniforms. While it’s still brutally cold for refugees, the ground is no longer frozen, so Russian tanks and heavy equipment convoys are quickly stuck in the mud and left behind. Was this the story I was looking for?

March 8 was International Women’s Day. With images of Russian attacks on maternity hospitals fresh in my mind, my focus became the courage and bravery of the Ukrainian women who are fighting to save their children, their families, and their country as Russian troops relentlessly bomb their homes.

Putin has not hesitated to lay waste to civilian areas. Cities are bombarded daily, resulting in horrific, haunting images. Residents remain trapped with little food or water and no electricity for heat. On camera, journalists stop to help the elderly cross makeshift bridges, while in the background a woman is seen pushing a wheelbarrow carrying her husband.

Border checkpoints are overwhelmed, millions have crossed into Poland, and millions more are believed to be displaced. After taking their children to safety, some 100,000 women reportedly have returned to join the fight to defend Ukraine.

A small, elderly woman was seen approaching one of the Russian soldiers guarding an intersection near her home. Unafraid, she let him know in no uncertain terms that he was not wanted in her country. Not wanting an altercation with someone who looked like his “Babushka” (grandmother), he pleaded with her to go home. The back and forth went on for a few more minutes until she finally turned to leave. As she did, she threw a handful of seeds at the soldier, telling him to pick them up. “Put those sunflower seeds in your pocket so flowers will grow where you lay down and die here.” The sunflower is the Ukrainian national flower and that woman is an example of Ukrainian heroism.

While people flee the conflict, the food supply will need to follow. Shortages will develop as farmers fight when they need to  plant. For now, our hearts will remain with all Ukrainians.

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Wester is the Executive Industry Editor of Food Quality & Safety.