This report assesses Best Practice Food Distribution Systems that might contribute to achievement of significant environmental improvements (i.e. reductions in GHG emissions) and/or reduce vulnerabilities in food systems.

Leadership was identified in five categories:

·       Farmer and consumer led initiatives (e.g. farmers' markets; coops; online hubs etc);

·       Food retailers;

·       Food manufacturers and marketers;

·       Third party logistics providers; and

·       Local councils, State and Federal Governments.

38 different initiatives were studied and results were extracted for each category, regarding:

·       Drivers and motivations;

·       Innovative aspects and opportunities;

·       Obstacles and challenges; and

·       Lessons learned - applicability to future initiatives.

This report highlights a wide range of alternatives that can help to decrease GHG emissions, and potentially reduce vulnerability in food distribution systems. Rather than advocating for a unique approach to be used, this report shows that each player in the chain has potential to contribute to the development of sustainable and resilient food distribution systems, whether at a local, national or international level.

Similarly, there are opportunities for players in each category to learn from and develop ideas from the others. The opportunities for abatement, and the creation of more resilient and sustainable supply chains, are significant.

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This report is part of a larger food freight project, see also project description and Understanding Victoria's F&V Freight Movements.