THEORETICAL ASPECTS OF FOOD MILE ASSESSMENT AND DESIGN

Abstract

This paper explores the theoretical aspects of food mile assessment and design in relation to their impact on environmental protection, economic efficiency and social responsibility in agri-food supply chains. The relevance of the work is based on the growing global concern about climate change and the need to strengthen the economic aspects of farms in order to reduce the ecological footprint of international trade. The concept of food miles describes the distance travelled by food products from production to the final consumer, which is directly linked to CO₂ emissions, energy consumption and safety aspects of food supply. The research approach included a detailed analysis of the scientific literature on the concept of food miles, their impact on CO₂ emissions during transport, changes in consumer awareness and behaviour, and trends in the demand for local food products. The results of the study showed that optimising food miles and strengthening local food systems can make a significant contribution to the implementation of sustainability principles, economic resilience and environmental protection.