Data interoperability is a technical way of describing the ability for several IT systems or platforms to communicate with each other and use information exchanged. It’s what lets you exchange emails with someone even if you have different email providers, for example. In the agrifood world, interoperability allows actors across the supply chain to more easily share data that will help them to coordinate, conduct sales and distribution across multiple different platforms, as well as integrate other tools like logistics and farm management technology.

Data interoperability is a big conversation in the food system world, but right now, these discussions are focused on large-scale industry. One of our priorities is to make sure the needs of small-scale producers and community food businesses aren’t left behind. 

“At OFN we see our role as trying to create the conditions that allow these platforms to collaborate with each other: we want to build a true integrated ecosystem of ecommerce and farm management platforms, one that offers maximum benefit to its users. And we know that if these platforms could all speak to each other and exchange information and data, this would be a huge win for our users. Because we are a social purpose organization, we have a freedom to see the system and the sector as a whole, and to be that voice out there that is pushing for change and collaboration. We are the voice that can say ‘Hey, we could build something better if we can learn to work together.’” – Theresa Schumilas

What does the research tell us?

We know that interoperability is important to scale up resilient, local food supply chains. We also know that existing short food supply chains already face some challenges. To get a better understanding of these challenges and what would help, we recently partnered with researchers from the University of Guelph on a project to explore technology needs of local food businesses and enterprises. We spoke with farmers, hub managers and market coordinators, as well as potential industry partners, including ecommerce, agriculture technology, farm management, and social impact platforms and organizations. 

Cross-platform sales a priority

The results were clear: focus group participants told us that cross-platform sales are important to their business, that the lack of interoperability is a significant obstacle to success, and that adopting an industry-wide open standard is their preferred solution.

“The [lack of] interoperability between the technology platforms has been a challenge for many farmers’ market vendors. Many of them have different platforms for online shops. Managing additional platforms means they are required to manage multiple inventories and products when many vendors are already stretched for time and resources, often farming more than full-time or running small entrepreneurial businesses that require them to wear many hats. I found vendors opted out of using specific online platforms (and in some cases all online platforms) due to requiring additional resources and people power to manage them.” ~ Farmers’ Market Manager

Other tech providers acknowledged the interoperability challenges their users face, and also recognised the benefits of a common standard, both for end-users and for their own goals:

“We see that farmers and technical service providers who assist farmers are burdened by the amount of data entry required for each tool they want to utilise. There is a huge time input required of these processes, and a lot of the data collected is redundant across tools. If there was a common data standard in our space, it would allow data owners to submit data once, and then route that data to tools of interest, as long as those tools all share a data standard.” ~ Facilitator, AgTech Community Group

“There is so much wasted developer time… no one can hope to solve meaningful problems, and because all those efforts are siloed, it leaves a difficult decision to [farmers and farmers’ markets] to choose between one incomplete solution or another, or give themselves double-entry work if they try to use both.” ~ Software Engineer, AgTech Platform

“We know that data standards are central to interoperability and better data reporting. Better reporting is central to [government] support and decision making within regional food systems.” ~ Co-Founder, AgTech Platform

Promise of the DFC open standard

Interoperability can be achieved most effectively through an agreed upon common data standard or interface that is shared between different systems. This means that every system needs only to integrate with one interface for all systems to be able to share data effectively. That’s why Open Food Network is spearheading the adoption of the Data Food Consortium open standard as a purpose-built solution for agrifood short supply chains.

When we shared our vision with local food system stakeholders they were excited by the possibilities that more interoperable data systems would unlock for them.

“This [DFC open standard] initiative shifts the food tech landscape from one of competition to cooperation, so farmers and producers have more flexibility in direct sales. We need this kind of positive direction in our food system” ~ Farmer

“I feel like our needs do align with these [DFC open standard] pieces. I think the important part for us would be having sort of a seamless inventory management system–one that was, you know, compatible across multiple platforms. That would definitely be a benefit.” ~ Community Food Organization Manager

“I think [the DFC open standard] would be the absolutely essential key thing that would bring us back onto an online platform. The ability to do cross-platform sales would be essential… and then, definitely, if there were logistics and delivery platforms that were incorporated as well, that would be the icing on the cake. That would be perfect. All our needs would be met, I think.” ~ Farmers’ Market Manager

How do we start building this in practice?

Establishing a new standard in a region is only possible with widespread buy-in, which depends on trust and cooperation between tech providers that are generally competitors.

The first stage of this work, which we began with our field research, involves bringing together a broad set of stakeholders. To move forward, we will need to continue engaging various groups, including facilitating ongoing discussion and collaboration between industry players. We will need the support and enthusiasm of everyone working in the local food movement. 

That’s where you come in. To learn more about this project and the next steps, read the full report. 

To be part of the conversation, email .