Food Distributor Information Request

Optimizing Local Distribution Chains

To help us prepare for an upcoming workshop focused on enhancing the efficiency and resilience of local food distribution chains, we kindly request the following information from your organization, specifically those with routes in Hancock and Washington Counties. Your insights are invaluable and will directly inform our discussions and proposed solutions.

Please complete this form. Once completed, you can print this page to a PDF, or copy the text from the "Review & Copy" section below to share with us.

Please return this to Harald Bredesen at hbredesen@growsmartmaine.org by Monday 28 July.

1. Distributor Contact Information

Company Name:

Primary Contact Person:

Title:

Email:

Phone Number:

Website (Optional):

2. General Operations

Primary Geographic Service Area(s):

Types of Food Products Distributed:

Typical Customer Base:

Average Weekly/Monthly Volume of Food Distributed (Optional, if comfortable sharing):

3. Route & Schedule Information

Number of Delivery Routes Operated:

Typical Days of Operation for Deliveries:

Average Number of Stops per Route:

Average Length of a Route (in miles or hours):

Do routes typically start and end at the same location?

Are routes generally fixed, or do they vary significantly week-to-week?

What software or methods do you currently use for route planning and optimization?

4. Fleet & Capacity

Total Number of Delivery Vehicles:

Types of Vehicles:

Average Capacity per Vehicle Type:

Are there times when your vehicle capacity is underutilized or overutilized? Please describe.

Do you currently backhaul products (pick up goods on return trips)?

If so, what types of products and how often?

5. Warehousing & Storage

Do you operate your own warehouse/distribution center?

If yes, what is its approximate size and storage capacity (e.g., square footage, pallet positions)?

Types of Storage Available:

Do you have any excess storage capacity, or are you typically at full capacity?

Do you currently offer cross-docking services?

6. Challenges & Opportunities

What are the biggest challenges you currently face in your distribution operations?

Where do you see the greatest opportunities for improvement in your local food distribution operations?

Are there specific areas where you would welcome collaboration with other distributors or food system stakeholders?

Review & Copy Your Responses

Please review the generated text below. You can copy this text and paste it into an email to hbredesen@growsmartmaine.org.

Note: Please do not feel pressured to share any information you are uncomfortable providing.