Logistics: the Achilles’ heel of the short food supply chain
From the ‘uberisation’ of last mile delivery to the use of smart lockers, from the offer of ready-to-eat products to the constant search for higher produce quality: how short food supply chain (SFSC) producers may face distribution costs and compete with supermarkets. Crowdsourcing the ‘last mile’ may be a solution to cut the distribution costs in short food supply chain (SFSC). The so called ‘uberisation’ (from the ride-sharing company Uber) of the delivery of local products would offer farmers a cheaper way to reach their consumers with an attractive home delivery service. It would be implemented by everyday citizens, and avoid logistics companies. Marinko Maslarić, assistant professor at the Faculty of Technical Science, University of Novi Sad, Serbia, says: “Besides the positive financial effects, a digitised short food supply chain with crowdsourced distribution is eco- and social-friendly. It is characterised by a smaller volume of greenhouse gas emissions per delivery and people can earn extra income. If properly implemented, it could be a very suitable solution for delivering small packages over short distances.” He co-authored a paper where a research team conducted a comparative analysis of SFSC distribution models, applying innovative logistics solutions thanks to digitised business processes. “Our study was based on a qualitative approach,” he explains, “Regarding distribution costs, we designed a case study related to a country with low income (low wages of drivers, etc.). The results showed that a crowdsourced delivery solution could cost as little as €1.10 per order, or €1.43 using specialised logistics service providers to €2.44 with transport resources owned by producers.” To read the full article: http://www.shortfoodchain.eu/news/articles/logistics-the-achilles-heel-of-the-short-food-supply-chain.kl
Keywords
Slow Food, Delivery, Short Food Chain, Sustainability