The Open Food Network provides a digital marketplace and tools for food producers and hubs to create fair, transparent, and sustainable food supply chains. Operating in 25 countries globally—including more than 15 in Europe—it enables collaboration and innovation among stakeholders in the agri-food sector.

Founded in 2012, the Open Food Network is a non-profit organisation dedicated to reshaping the global food system. It offers an open-source platform that allows local food enterprises to connect, sell products, and organise distribution. Through capacity-building programs and partnerships, OFN supports the professionalisation of SMEs in the social economy, aligning with the EU’s Social Economy Action Plan and Transition Pathway.

Small-scale food producers face significant barriers, including limited access to markets, inefficient supply chains, and the dominance of industrial food systems. These challenges hinder their ability to compete, innovate, and meet growing demand for sustainable, locally sourced food.

The Open Food Network addresses these challenges by fostering the development of short food chains through:

• Direct sales: Enabling farmers to sell their products directly to consumers, ensuring fair pricing and transparency.
• Farmer-to-farmer exchanges: Facilitating the exchange of goods and resources among farmers to promote collaboration and mutual support.
• Food Hubs: Supporting the creation of local food hubs that aggregate products from multiple producers, making it easier for consumers and businesses to access local food.
• Public food procurement: In several countries, OFN is beginning to offer tools and systems to facilitate public food procurement for schools and hospitals, connecting institutions with local producers. Here an example.
• Digital tools: Providing producers with tools to manage orders, logistics, and marketing, while promoting eco-friendly practices like reducing food miles and waste.
• OFN leverages open-source technology, community engagement, and strategic partnerships to create a scalable and adaptable solution. It fosters a participatory approach, empowering users to co-design features and share knowledge. Here some of the OFN platform features.

IMPACT:  

• Increased income and market access for thousands of small producers.
• Strengthened direct and localised supply chains that enhance food sovereignty.
• Reduction in food waste and carbon emissions through efficient logistics and fewer intermediaries.
• A presence in 25 countries globally, including over 15 European countries, fostering collaboration and innovation across borders to strengthen the social economy.
• Enhanced access to local food for schools, hospitals, and other public institutions, contributing to healthier, sustainable diets.

Challenges include digital literacy gaps among users and resistance to change in traditional food systems. OFN overcame these obstacles through targeted training and inclusive design.  

Key lessons include the importance of community involvement, the benefits of transparent pricing, and the scalability of open-source solutions in the social economy.  

The Open Food Network aims to expand its reach and deepen its impact by integrating new technologies, such as blockchain for traceability, and by advocating for policies that support short food chains. Its growing presence in public food procurement shows promise for scaling these efforts, further connecting local producers with institutional buyers to strengthen local economies.