A recent study has uncovered innovative strategies to reduce costs and environmental impact for small food producers delivering their products. Led by Dr. Arijit De from Alliance Manchester Business School, the research, published in the Transportation Research journal, focuses on enhancing the efficiency of local food hubs, which serve as centralized marketplaces for farmers and small businesses.
Local food hubs allow producers to consolidate their goods at a single location for distribution to consumers. While this concept seems straightforward, the current reality often results in increased expenses and carbon emissions. Many producers operate independently, traveling long distances to deliver small quantities, which leads to more vehicle journeys and significant environmental costs. Rural farms, in particular, face heightened distribution challenges due to greater travel distances and fewer delivery points, resulting in inefficiencies.
The research team collaborated with Food and Drink North East (FADNE), a community enterprise in Newcastle, which initiated the Local Heroes hub during the Covid-19 lockdowns. This hub has enabled over 150 producers, including dairy farmers and craft brewers, to sell directly to households. Utilizing actual delivery data, the researchers developed a model to explore various scenarios for improving distribution efficiency.
The findings indicate that by optimizing transport sharing among producers, delivery costs and fuel consumption can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, transitioning from diesel vehicles to electric alternatives could lower costs by nearly one-third and diminish carbon emissions by up to 70%.
These developments have important implications for families grappling with rising living costs. Delivery expenses often inflate food prices, but more efficient transportation systems, such as those utilized by Local Heroes, can help maintain affordability while supporting small enterprises. This is especially crucial in rural areas where high logistics costs limit farmers’ incomes and consumer access to fresh produce.
Barbara Tocco, co-author of the study from Newcastle University, highlighted the pressing need for improved access to healthy, locally sourced food in regions with high levels of child poverty. “This work shows how smarter logistics can help more people access it without harming the environment,” she stated.
The research also emphasizes the resilience of food hubs, which played a vital role in connecting farmers directly with households during the Covid-19 pandemic when supermarket supplies dwindled. Strengthening these networks can bolster community resilience against future disruptions, whether from health crises, rising fuel costs, or climate change.
The team hopes their distribution model can be adopted by food hubs across the UK and Europe. With farming facing numerous economic and environmental pressures, even minor adjustments to delivery routes and vehicle choices could create substantial benefits. This study builds on the team’s earlier research and has been presented on the EU’s business advice platform, EU4Advice, and raised in UK Parliamentary discussions regarding freight emissions and supply chain efficiency.
