WP1: Scale up - is dedicated to the design of social, technological, and economic innovation scenarios for the food hubs and their integration in the urban context. Particular attention will be dedicated to the design of specific approaches for logistics and supply and to the definition of the specification for a platform dedicated to the hub.

The project HelpFood 4.0 requires considering logistics aspects in the definition of the sustainable community of local food producers and eaters which is the framework of the entire project. Of major importance is the definition of the optimal location of the FoodHubs which are going to be settled and implemented, both in the case of urban spaces dedicated to physical interactions between producers and eaters, as well as technological lockers for automated purchase of the products of such aforementioned communities.

The aim of this task is the development of models able to suggest the best location (e.g., geographical locations) of such Food Hubs considering the multiple implications that this decision has on the logistic aspects of such a network. In particular, the model considers all three pillars of sustainability to identify the most suitable locations and configuration of FoodHubs which ensure the social, environmental and economic viability of this initiative.

A mockup of the Food Hub structure will be created and a suitable strategy for the integration of the dedicated sharing platform with existing initiatives. The development of a digital platform will help in managing the CSA orders, visualize the available products and their characteristics, learning about farmers’ activities and food production processes, creating a network and helping the communication between farmers and eaters, and fostering the relationship of mutual aid and control, which is at the basis of a CSA. We will also plan open innovation actions (eg. innovation contests) to engage a large number of people and investigate new innovation opportunities in a co-creation approach. The outputs of this WP include the actual plan for the implementation of the food up and an innovation strategy.