Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management Studies

Abstract Wheat is one of the most essential crops and plays a critical role in global food security. Therefore, effective management across all stages of the wheat supply chain is vital. This study presents a sustainable wheat supply chain model that integrates economic, environmental, and social considerations. A mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model is developed to minimize wheat loss and waste while optimizing key sustainability objectives. Economically, the model aims to reduce total supply chain costs, including those related to production, storage, transportation, and facility establishment. Environmentally, it seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while socially, it strives to enhance job opportunities through the development of new facilities. The model incorporates elements such as animal feed centers and facilities for waste collection, recovery, and disposal. It also accounts for losses during harvesting, transportation, and processing. The multi-objective epsilon-constraint method was employed to solve the model and analyze the impact of various parameters. Using real data from Isfahan Province, Iran, the results show that wheat waste can be reduced from 25,000 to 7,000 tons by upgrading harvesting machinery. Additionally, by reducing transportation losses to meet global standards and lowering bread waste by 1%, the province could save 15,000 tons of wheat. The model also supports the construction of one new silo and one waste collection center, which would create a considerable number of jobs. These findings highlight the role of sustainable supply chain design in mitigating food loss, improving resource efficiency, and enhancing long-term food security. The study offers valuable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of integrating sustainability measures into supply chain management.