Barriers to Transitioning to a Circular Food Economy in Mississippi, USA.

Background to the Study: The adoption of circular economy ideas to reduce waste and pollution has gained popularity in many industries, including the food business. Although there are multiple benefits to be gained from minimizing food waste through a circular economy approach, there are several barriers preventing economies from successfully transitioning. This research will explore the potential barriers to transitioning to a circular food economy in Mississippi, USA. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the associated risks of transitioning to a circular food economy in Mississippi, USA. Design/methodology/approach: Over 120 questionnaire surveys were conducted professionally to assess the associated risks of transitioning to a circular food economy in Mississippi, USA. The questionnaire comprised two main sections each exploring different parts of the research question. Findings: The key findings of the statistical analysis indicated that there is a lack of industry-specific policies, regulations, and strong legislative frameworks. This paper will be very beneficial to industry practitioners and economic researchers with an interest in the circular economy. Research limitations/implications: There is a limitation of this article because it does not cover all the professional bodies in the food industry and data used in this publication were outsourced from qualified researchers. Practical and Social implications: The lack of a generic framework and methodology, key performance indicators, benchmark index, and economic performance measures has practical and social implications for society. Originality/value: This paper contributes with new outlooks aimed at evaluating the associated risks of a circular food economy for decision-makers. Keywords: Barriers, Circular, Economy, Food, Mississippi, Risk. DOI: 10.7176/JESD/13-24-01 Publication date: December 31st 202