Energy and cost optimization in multi-modal fresh food distribution network

A methodology to minimize the operating cost and energy in the design of a multi-modal fresh food distribution network is presented. Two linear programming models are formulated and solved highlighting the conditions that minimize the economic and energy impact. The proposed two models overcomes the widely adopted approaches focused, only, on the network cost minimization. The design of the fresh food distribution network deals with the formalization of two objective functions: the first takes into account the network costs, the latter quantifies the energy consumption through the network. Each objective function is limited by a set of common constraints related to the market demand satisfaction and the production capacities, considering fresh food produces quality decrease during transport. The paper validates and applies the models through a realistic case study. Two scenarios are investigated, considering the vehicles types enabled to transport the produces. Furthermore a sensitivity analysis compares the distribution network configurations varying the produces quality profile.