Kraft Foods UK - Case study: Fewer transport miles

In response to FDF's “Fewer and Friendlier Food Transport Miles” manifesto, Kraft Foods UK is working with key transport providers on a programme focused on five areas: inbound transport of goods to warehouses, outbound transport from warehouses to customers, technology to improve vehicle and fuel efficiency, alternative transport modes and collaboration with other manufacturers or carriers.

Kraft Foods has included a statement referring to the programme with one of its key service providers and will include this in other contracts as they come up for renewal.

The statement requests that suppliers provide Kraft Foods with a copy of a “fewer and friendlier” food transport miles manifesto which sets out how the supplier will operate to reduce the environmental and social impact of its food transport (“the Manifesto”). The Manifesto should take into account the “10 point checklist for greener food transport” published by the Food and Drink Federation.

Kraft Foods UK have also been seeking sustainability opportunities with transport deliveries for customers.

Through an agreement with Asda, Kraft Foods UK has saved potentially thousands of road miles every year on deliveries to Asda in Scotland. Since April 2009, instead of lorries driving to Asda's Grangemouth distribution centre from Kraft Foods' Bicester warehouse, ambient product loads are now doing the journey by freight train.

The agreement with the customer grew out of an industry-wide focus on sustainable distribution. Moving from road to rail is more environmentally friendly and the initiative is a major boost as it saves 52 truck trips – approximately 38,000 miles a year.

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