How to use this Toolkit:
Each section offers practical guidance and tools.
You can dip into individual sections as needed or work through the toolkit.
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P003 → Logistics - Moving food well
Getting food from field to plate shouldn’t cost the earth. Short, efficient delivery systems keep produce fresh, reduce waste, and strengthen relationships between producers and buyers.
Why logistics matter.
Thoughtful logistics make small-scale food networks work. By coordinating delivery routes, sharing vehicles, and planning around harvest cycles, producers can save time, reduce emissions, and improve customer reliability.
Practical examples include shared van routes between nearby farms, using cooperative storage facilities, or aligning market days to streamline distribution. The goal is to move food in ways that make sense locally, efficiently, fairly, and in an environmentally sound way.
Planning & Efficiency tools
Mini-Checklist for Smarter Logistics:
• Map your weekly deliveries and identify shared routes.
• Group drop-off points or collection hubs to save travel.
• Share transport with other producers where possible.
• Invest in reusable crates, cold boxes, or insulated packaging.
• Record distances, costs, and time to review efficiency each season.
Prompt: “Where could one shared trip replace three?”
Reflect on opportunities to pool resources and plan together.