Data Food Consortium
Common and open digital language supporting the development of short supply chains
Description
The Data Food Consortium initiative aims to facilitate the interoperability of short food supply chain platforms through the development of an open standardized digital language. The intention in this regard is to enhance collaboration among producers, distributors and other actors involved in short food supply chains and the food ecosystem in general with pooled data and efficient information flows, thus supporting local food systems, reducing environmental impacts and promoting transparency and fairness. The Consortium encourages collaboration and democratization within the food and technology sectors.
Technology
The technical backbone of the Data Food Consortium is a semantic web-based ontology. The digital language aims to support exchanges of data among food-related digital initiatives (e.g. websites, web-based and mobile applications, e-commerce platforms), but more broadly among transactions and actors in the food ecosystems, without disregarding their own languages. Furthermore, by identifying shared concepts and relationships in food supply chains, it supports the interoperability of different digital platforms. The Consortium uses social media and other collaborative platforms like LinkedIn, Slack and Github to facilitate communication and data sharing in an online community working around the application or improvement of the digital language.
Target
The open standard, semantic protocols and technical specifications developed by the Data Food Consortium target all actors in the food supply chain, especially those aligned with the 11 elements of agroecology. Farmers, tech-providers, logistic operators, businesses, rural communities and civil society that have developed their own supply chains can adopt the open standards developed by the Consortium, as well as public authorities and private sector actors.
Business model
The open standard of the Data Food Consortium can be accessed free of charge. The standard has been developed with donor support from Ile de France, Fondation Daniel et Nina Carasso and the Macif Foundation.
Impact
The Data Food Consortium strives to facilitate the consistent exchange and interpretation of data, supporting streamlined communication and collaborations among diverse stakeholders. The solution seeks to save time and to provide reliable data to food producers and the organizers of short food chains by reinforcing cooperation and ensuring the synergy of different actors through efficient data flows and the mutualization of transport systems. Though the solution is being adopted after the early stage, overall, it is expected to support local authorities in developing territorial food markets and in overcoming the limits of logistic flows while simultaneously reducing the environmental footprint of short food supply chains.
Partners
Socleo; Open Food France; Elzeard; Mycelium; Assembée Virtuelle; RMT Alimentation Local, INRAE; Alilo activateur de circuit courts; Open Food Facts
Four Betters
Better production
Better nutrition
Better environment
Better life
