Reducing Food Miles-Analysis of the Perceptions of Stakeholders in Northwest England

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a study designed to understand the perceptions and review the initiatives of industrial managers with respect to the reduction of food transportation (food miles). The issue of food miles is particularly topical in the current climate of environmental awareness. A questionnaire survey and telephone interview of 25 food organisations of different sizes was carried out. The questionnaire sought information on the initiatives taken by the respondent organisations to reduce food miles. An Internet review that identified the position of major food retailers with respect to food miles was also carried out. The study indicated that although most manufacturing companies that participated in the questionnaire survey were aware of food miles, most had done very little or nothing to manage its effects at an organisational level. This could be because some of the costs of food miles are not directly attributable to individual companies implying a potential role for government regulation. In contrast, the Internet review indicated that the retailers had made significant efforts to reduce the distances travelled by their food products. This paper concludes by discussing the challenges to overcome if food miles are to be managed.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Dotun Adebanjo

Dotun Adebanjo is lecturer in operations management at The University of Liverpool Management School. He previously spent several years at Leatherhead Food International as a researcher, consultant, and trainer to the food industry. His research focuses on the application of new and emerging technology to the delivery of efficient inter-organisational relationships. He has written a book on customer satisfaction and has published research in several journals as well as presenting at leading international conferences.

Fred Mahoney

Fred Mahoney is a visiting professor at The University of Liverpool Management School. Fred holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry and has over 25 years of working experience predominantly in the food industry in several countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Holland, and Argentina. Prior to joining the university, Fred was a vicepresident at Cargill, a leading global organisation. His interests are in the areas of supply chain management, international logistics, and trade.

Dennis Kehoe

Dennis Kehoe is professor and director of the Advanced Internet Methods and Emergent Systems (AiMeS) at The University of Liverpool Management School. He is also the director of the prestigious UK-governmentfunded Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre based at the university. He was awarded a five-year Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair in Innovative Manufacturing. Dennis has a strong track record of engagement with industry at local, national, and international levels. His research has been widely published in many leading journal and at international conferences.