Nurturing Food Commons. on the Economic and Political Challenges of Scaling Local Food Systems through Cooperative Platforms, a Comparative Case Study.

Based on an ongoing PhD research in progress, this communication explores the economic and political challenges of scaling local food systems through cooperative and open-source platforms, specifically examining the case of the Open Food Network (OFN) in France and the United States. The global food system is dominated by corporate giants, leading to exploitative labor practices and monopolistic control. In contrast, alternative food systems like the OFN strive to offer a more democratic and sustainable model through digital platforms that facilitate short food supply chains, connecting producers directly with consumers.

The research highlights the economic and social potentials of these platforms, particularly their ability to empower small-scale producers by providing more market control, reducing intermediaries, and fostering collaboration among local food hubs. However, it also points out significant challenges, including financial viability, competition with corporate platforms, and the difficulties in achieving social inclusion and scalability without replicating capitalist market dynamics.

Through a comparative case study of the French and US branches of OFN, the paper investigates how these platforms navigate the economic and regulatory environments, and the extent to which they can scale without compromising their core cooperative values. The study also explores the role of digital infrastructures, like data interoperability, in supporting scaling efforts while promoting food justice and sustainability.

Overall, the paper advocates for a critical rethinking of how scaling can be achieved in alternative food systems. It critically engages with notions such as scaling up, deep and out, and offers to broaden the notion of scaling to social inclusion and justice considerations. It argues that true transformation requires not only technological innovation but also political support, financial resilience, and a commitment to democratizing food access, ensuring that marginalized communities reclaim these food systems.