Reinventing supply strategies in community organizations post-pandemic: a case study of <i>La Ruche Vanier</i>

Research methodology This case study draws on both primary and secondary data sources. Primary data includes six hours of interviews and informal discussions with Pascale Bouffard, Deputy Director and Coordinator at La Ruche Vanier. This interview was conducted as part of a project approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Université Laval: Approval No. 2024–286 / 17-07-2024. Secondary data collected from websites of the Québec Food Banks, Moisson Québec, Statistics Québec reports and La Ruche Vanier’s reports, as well as academic publications and news articles on post-pandemic food aid dynamics. The case incorporates real-world organizational challenges. To ensure the confidentiality of other individuals involved in the data collection of this case, fictitious names have been assigned. The donor organization is referred to as “Tout Aliment en Express,” “Charbel (Sales Manager)” and “Angélique (Volunteer).” The reported events and the details about organizational activities, industry operations and statistics are authentic. Case overview/synopsis This case study presents a real-world example of how La Ruche Vanier, a community organization in Quebec City dedicated to distributing food donations to vulnerable individuals in the Vanier neighborhood, navigated food supply disruptions in the post-pandemic era (2023–2024). In May 2024, Bouffard, the Deputy Director and Coordinator, recognized a worsening decline in food donations, which severely strained the organization’s operational capacity. Faced with these challenges, Bouffard posed a critical question: How can supply strategies be adjusted to effectively address the growing demand while managing limited resources? To stabilize the supply, Bouffard needed to make strategic decisions regarding food procurement. This case is decision-driven, focusing on one key supply strategy − purchasing − within a nonprofit context. Students will step into Bouffard’s shoes to analyze the data provided by Angélique, a volunteer, and make strategic decisions to address the challenges. Additionally, students will take on the role of a strategic advisor, like Angélique, to propose recommendations and solutions for procurement strategies. Complexity academic level This case study can be incorporated into courses on procurement management, operations and logistics management, strategy, supply chain management and distribution management. It is appropriate for both advanced courses and foundational ones focused on nonprofit organization management or post-crisis management. Relevant topics include managing complex procurement processes in a nonprofit context, or the challenges surrounding procurement decision-making in a dynamic, complex and uncertain post-crisis environment. Targeted for second- and third-year undergraduate students (business administration) as well as graduate students (Master’s and MBA programs), this case is best suited for those who have already been introduced to procurement strategy concepts in their coursework. The case is of medium difficulty, requiring more than a simple copy-paste approach. While Figures 1–3 and Table 1 provide valuable data, clear prompts are included with the questions to encourage critical thinking and guide students through the analysis process.This case study is suitable for a hybrid learning environment. It integrates both in-seat and online components to facilitate dynamic discussions and collaborative analysis. Its design supports synchronous and asynchronous engagement through digital exhibits and guided prompts, making it adaptable to blended classroom settings.