Open Food Network: Farm to fork delivery service launches in Victoria

A food delivery service by an Aussie not-for-profit promises local producers the opportunity to act independent of corporations. SEE HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Open Food Network Australia has launched a pilot food delivery service called Open Road in Victoria to connect co-ops like Harcourt Organic Farming Cooperative (pictured) and customers directly. Picture: Supplied

A new food delivery service is being piloted in Victoria by a not-for-profit looking to directly connect local producers and customers.

Open Food Network Australia’s Open Road program will move food in both directions between regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne, and will act as a brokerage for producers to reach more customers.

Open Food Network co-founder Serenity Hill said the linchpin of the service was the drivers.

“Instead of a random driver at both ends of the service there will be a familiar and trusted face,” she said.

“We see the drivers as honeybees, circulating out to collect and connect while servicing food hubs and distribution centres.”

The pilot delivery service will include a delivery loop up and down the Hume Highway, working with food hubs including Strathbogie Local, Wangaratta Farmers’ Market and Beechworth Food Co-Op.

The other delivery loop, running out to the southeast, will work with food hubs including Baw Baw Food Hub and Prom Coast Food Collective.

Both loops will bring produce into Melbourne hubs and buyers, and will pick up produce to take back out to the regions.

In metro Melbourne the first to join in are Melbourne Farmers’ Markets at Alphington Community Farmgate and Ceres Fair Food.

Open Food Network, founded in 2012, hopes that regionally some producers also participate as temporary warehousing, acting as central pick-up points where there is no local food co-op.

Rather than each farmer going it alone, they would like to see them be part of a collaborative solution so they’re not losing farming time.

The not-for-profit was inspired to create the service after the coronavirus pandemic exposed logistics management as a “major vulnerability” in our food supply chain.

It also comes after Australia Post backflipped on its decision to cease delivering perishable food.

Open Food Network note that its delivery service will enable local producers to act independent of corporations.

Research by Open Food Network Australia found logistics represent thirty per cent of food producers’ costs, and sometimes more as their own hours spent driving are rarely factored.

Open Road co-ordinator Amelia Bright said she sees “retailers like local grocers, delis, cafe-provedores, health food stores and bakeries as key players, connecting with others in the state”.

Expressions of interest are now open to producers, co-ops and retailers.

If the trial goes well, Open Road will expand to other locations.

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