Digifood - Transforming the Nordic REKO-rings into a sustainable Digital Local Food

The Digifood project addresses the disruptive potential of digital platforms in food value chains. We analyze the Nordic, platform-based local food market phenomenon Reko, develop and disseminate knowledge of how it can stimulate radical market innovation in food value chains and help it transform into a sustainable digital food system. The research questions are: What kinds of alternative food networks (AFN) evolve as a consequence of digitalization and digital platforms?; What local, regional and national factors influence how such AFN's evolve into significant food markets?; and finally; How can such AFN's transform food value chains and become truly sustainable local food systems?. The project will conduct studies at the local (Reko-ring members), regional (regional Reko-contexts) and national (Nordic countries) levels. Because Reko uses Facebook as the digital platform, we can conduct advanced multi-level analysis of large data volumes that complements previous research conducted at only one of the three levels independently. As Reko's success formula is fragile, the project also includes an action-oriented WP that develops guidelines for how its platform and ecosystem should be further developed to secure growth and sustainability.