The meeting, titled “Digital Tools: Opportunities and Challenges for the Logistics of Alternative Food Networks,” opened with a presentation of Open Food Network by Francisco Martinez Frutos, Project Manager at Open Food Network Europe. This was followed by an open discussion dedicated to sharing the experiences and needs of different networks (GAS, platforms, food co-ops, CSAs, emporiums, producer networks, etc.) regarding digital tools for managing orders, payments, deliveries, and more.
In Italy, Alternative Food Networks already used various digital tools for e-commerce, order management, logistics, and communication. These ranged from management systems such as e-circles for Solidarity Purchasing Groups to e-commerce platforms such as Trasp-Orto and even simple Telegram chats. In addition, many of these networks had internal IT expertise. The discussion explored how the wider adoption, integration, federation, standardisation, and interconnection of digital and management tools could make AFNs more efficient, particularly in logistics-related activities such as collaborative transport, order consolidation, access to public procurement, and competitiveness against large-scale retail (GDO).
Open Food Network is an open-source platform that facilitates the direct sale of local food products by connecting producers, purchasing groups, and consumers. The software is developed by the Open Food Foundation, a non-profit organisation that creates open-source digital solutions to support fair and sustainable local food systems.
Open-source principles and the solidarity economy share many ethical values, particularly in supporting an economy based on commons and shared resources. The meeting therefore provided an opportunity for a concrete exchange of perspectives for the development of Alternative Food Networks.
The event was open to researchers, public institutions, and anyone interested in the topic.