Digital Innovation in Short Food Supply Chains

Digital Innovation Spotlight within the COACH project examines how digital technologies empower short food supply chains through community-driven initiatives. Focused on small-scale farmers and food networks, it highlights tools like Open Food Network, Pipers Farm, and NWSL that use Free and Open Source Software (FLOSS) to ensure digital sovereignty, data privacy, and reduce reliance on corporate platforms. Case studies demonstrate improved logistics, communication, and scalability, with platforms such as Clic’AMAP and the Amapez-vous app supporting network coordination. Despite challenges like technical complexity, maintenance costs, and environmental impacts, these systems enhance efficiency and resilience. The spotlight warns of digital colonialism and the digital divide, advocating for shared digital infrastructures, public funding, and democratic governance to ensure equitable, sustainable transformation in agri-food systems.