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SAMMARYIn the agriculture sector, globalization of food production has considerably influenced the food supply system by increasing distance the food has to be transported to reach consumers. This situation not only has increased emissions of greenhouse gases but also has reduced the relationship between local food producers and consumers, affecting local food producers, their environment and culture.In this study, local food supply chain characteristics were investigated using data from some local food producers and existing large-scale food distribution centers from entire Sweden. A coordinated distribution system of locally produced food was developed to improve logistics efficiency; reduce environmental impact; increase potential market for local food producers and to improve traceability of food origin for consumers. For this, integrated logistics networks were developed by forming clusters of producers and determining the optimum collection centers of food products for each cluster. These food collection centers could be linked to food producers, food distributors and consumers/retailers enabling coordinated distribution of local food products and facilitated the integration of food distribution from the collection centers into large scale food distribution channels.The analysis carried out using tools such as Geographic Information System and Route LogiX software indicated that integrating the logistics activities in the delivery system of local food has advantages. It reduced the transport distance and time and the number routes of food collection and distribution. The possibility of integration of local food distributions into large scale food distribution channels increased the potential market for local food producers. These indicate its positive impact on environmental issue and traceability of food quality and origin. However, in this study, the locations of the customers of each producer and the existing delivery routes from producers to customers could not be mapped due to the shortage of data. Therefore, site specific and more detailed further studies have been recommended. II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS III ABSTRACTFood supply chain is the current focus in terms of food safety and environment. The objective of this study was to investigate the local food supply chain characteristics and develop a coordinated distribution system to improve logistics efficiency, reduce environmental impact, increase potential market for local food producers and improve traceability of food origin for consumers. The study was based on data from 90 local food producers and 19 existing large scale food distribution centers (LSFDC) from all over Sweden.Location analysis was done using geographic information system (GIS), to map locations of producers and LSFDCs; to build cluster (C) of producers; and to determine optimal product collection centers (CC). The route analysis was carried out using Route Logix software, firstly for the case of produce collection from farms to CCs based on two scenarios: (1) producers transport their...

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Last mile logistics (LML) is the least efficient and complex part of supply chain. The main objective of this study was to identify major challenges of urban freight LML and opportunities for intervention. For this, 42 peer-reviewed full papers published after 2010 and three additional references were used. The findings indicated that urban freight flow has a trend of steady growth. The main driving forces behind this steady growth are population growth, urbanization, densification, globalization, online and omni-channel (OC) retailing, and urban economic development. Using typology analysis, three main potential freight LML configurations were mapped and discussed. Freight LML configurations that involve light cargo vehicles and cargo bike-based delivery schemes could be the most sustainable freight LML models if the delivery failure is minimized. The LML challenges were categorized as technological, infrastructural, LML system and management, and logistic cost related challenges, and discussed broadly. Similarly, the potential opportunities were discussed from environmental, economic, and social sustainability aspects. Finally, this report has pinpointed future potential research agendas related to LML. The study could be a knowledge base useful for academicians and practitioners, logistics and technical service providers, policy makers, and customers.

Consumers’ demand for locally produced and organic foods has increased in Sweden. This paper presents the results obtained from the analysis of data acquired from 100 consumers in Sweden who participated in an online survey during March to June 2016. The objective was to identify consumers’ demand in relation to organic food and sustainable food production, and to understand how the consumers evaluate food quality and make buying decisions. Qualitative descriptions, descriptive statistics and Pearson’s Chi-square test (with alpha value of p < 0.05 as level of significance), and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used for analysis. About 72% of participants have the perception that organic food production method is more sustainable than conventional methods. Female consumers have more positive attitudes than men towards organic food. However, age difference, household size and income level do not significantly influence the consumers’ perception of sustainable food production concepts. Regionality, sustainable methods of production and organic production are the most important parameters to characterize the food as high quality and make buying decisions. On the other hand, product uniformity, appearance, and price were found to be relatively less important parameters. Food buying decisions and food quality were found to be highly related with Pearson’s correlation coefficient of r = 0.99.