Alternative Food Networks connect local producers and consumers and provide direct access to fresh, sustainably produced food, bypassing traditional retail chains and reducing intermediaries. This fosters stronger and more sustainable connections between local producers and consumers.
ORbITaLA is part of the international Food4CE project, coordinated by the University of Maribor, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Transport Engineering and Architecture (UM FGPA). The project established five regional Innovation Hubs in Slovenia, Austria, Italy, Hungary and Poland. These hubs share best practices in digitalisation and logistics for local food networks across the participating countries.
Located at Pobreška cesta 20 in Maribor, ORbITaLA is open every Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., offering both virtual and in-person services. The hub was designed as a collaborative space for researchers, representatives of Alternative Food Networks, local food providers, logistics operators and policymakers to develop practical solutions for sustainable local food systems and improve the efficiency of these networks.
At the launch, two key tools were introduced for the first time – the Knowledge Transfer Platform (KTP) and the Matchmaking Platform (MP). These platforms support knowledge sharing and help local food networks improve logistics and build stronger connections within Alternative Food Networks. Their goal is to strengthen local food supply, increase the efficiency of short supply chains, and promote environmental sustainability.
The ORbITaLA Innovation Hub brings together key players in local food supply chains – from producers and logistics operators to retailers and consumers. This helps improve transportation efficiency, reduce distribution costs, optimise route planning, minimise food waste, and establish a more resilient and sustainable food system in the region that can better address local needs and environmental challenges.