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.