Title: A logistic network to harmonise the development of local food system with safety and sustainability

Authors: Stefano A. Saetta; Valentina Caldarelli; Lorenzo Tiacci; Nils Lerche; Jutta Geldermann

Addresses: Department of Engineering, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Via G. Duranti, 67 – 06125 Perugia, Italy ' Department of Engineering, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Via G. Duranti, 67 – 06125 Perugia, Italy ' Department of Engineering, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Via G. Duranti, 67 – 06125 Perugia, Italy ' Department of Production and Logistics, University of Göttingen, Platz der Göttinger Sieben 3, 37073 Göttingen, Germany ' Department of Production and Logistics, University of Göttingen, Platz der Göttinger Sieben 3, 37073 Göttingen, Germany

Abstract: A growing interest in promoting high quality food from a local area has to overcome economic obstacles, and maintain high levels of safety and traceability. A network model is studied with the aim to harmonise economic and environmental goals with the social benefits of supporting small enterprises. Possible areas of savings, which can be invested in further marketing of niche products, are analysed. The case study Filiera dei Piccoli (FdP) (The Supply Chain of Small Entities) shows the relevance of Supply Chain Management in improving market orientation and in introducing new products. The distribution system of the network is optimised using software and a genetic algorithm. The achieved savings are used to offer typical high quality foods at competitive prices.

Keywords: local foods; small supply chains; food supply chains; efficient food distribution; logistics networks; supply chain management; SCM; food safety; traceability; sustainability; market orientation; new product introduction; NPI; genetic algorithms; high quality foods.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISM.2015.070530

International Journal of Integrated Supply Management, 2015 Vol.9 No.4, pp.307 - 328

Received: 17 Feb 2014
Accepted: 30 Jan 2015
Published online: 09 Jul 2015 *

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