A team of researchers has found new ways to make it cheaper - and greener - for small food producers to get their goods to customers.
The study, led by Alliance Manchester Business School's Dr Arijit De and published in the Transportation Research journal, looked at how local food hubs can work more efficiently. These hubs act like a central marketplace: farmers and small food businesses bring products to one place, where they are packed and delivered to shoppers.
While this sounds simple, the reality can be costly and environmentally damaging. Many producers operate alone, driving long distances to drop off small loads. This creates more van journeys, higher costs, and - despite being "local" - surprisingly high carbon emissions. Rural farms and food businesses face especially high distribution costs, as longer travel distances and fewer delivery points make transport less efficient.
The research team worked with Food and Drink North East (FADNE), a community business in Newcastle, which launched the 'Local Heroes' hub during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns. The hub helped over 150 producers - from dairy farmers to craft brewers - sell directly to households.
Using real delivery data, the researchers created a model to test scenarios. The results show that if producers share transport more effectively, they can cut delivery costs and fuel use. Even better, replacing diesel vans with electric vehicles could reduce costs by nearly one-third and slash carbon emissions by up to 70%.
The findings also matter for families struggling with the cost of living. Delivery costs can push up food prices. By making transport more efficient, hubs like Local Heroes can keep food affordable while still supporting small businesses. This is especially important in rural regions, where high logistics costs have long limited farmer incomes and consumer access.
"The North East has some of England's highest child poverty levels, but also a growing demand for healthy, locally produced food," said co-author Barbara Tocco from Newcastle University. "This work shows how smarter logistics can help more people access it without harming the environment."
The study also highlights resilience. During Covid-19, when supermarkets ran low on supplies, food hubs were vital to connect farmers directly with households. Strengthening those networks will help communities to withstand future shocks from pandemics, rising fuel prices or climate change.
The researchers hope their model can be used by food hubs across the UK and Europe. With farming under pressure from economic and environmental challenges, small changes in delivery routes and vehicle choices could make a big difference.
The findings build on the team's previous research which has been shared on the EU's business advice platform EU4Advice, as well as being raised in UK Parliament questions about freight emissions and supply chains.
