Our latest news, blogs, ideas, tips and opinion pieces
OFN Platform updates
Development Explained! The Open Food Network is a platform cooperative - a software platform running with cooperative principles. Our goal has always been that the community of food enterprises using the Open Food Network are co-owners, designers and creators of...
Technical infrastructure to enable an agroecological transition
Online food retail has exploded in response to COVID-19. This shift to online represents a huge opportunity to transform sales and logistics so that agroecological farming can regenerate our world. In this article I explore technical infrastructure that can support...
Building food equality means investing in communities
In our Building Food Equality project, OFN UK are working to demonstrate the important role that community food enterprises play in addressing systemic inequality in our food system. In this blog Lynne Davis gives a background to the work. High quality food is...
A video showcase of how community food enterprises work
There are many wonderful and different approaches to creating and running a community food enterprise. In this blog, we explore some examples from a webinar in which we invited Locavore Glasgow, New Dawn Traders, Helston Local Food Hub and Y Pantri Glas to talk...
How to build amazing customer relationships
What’s one advantage you are likely to have that supermarkets and big retailers don’t? The opportunity to build great relationships with your customers on an individual basis. And if you make the most of this advantage to develop an ongoing relationship with your...
All card payments through Stripe will require Strong Card Authorisation (SCA) as of 31st December.
To help make card payments more secure the UK Government is rolling out new legislation. In this blog Louise explains how to make sure you are prepared. What is SCA? SCA- Strong Card Authorisation- is an additional security measure, which protects...
How community food enterprises work towards food equality
Community food enterprises are part of a movement to address systemic issues in the food system in a way that is dignified and redistributive. In this blog, Joe McCrohon explores practical steps some food hubs are taking to address food affordability. The Open Food...
Simple ways to design and schedule social media posts for free
If you find you are spending too much time on social media without seeing the results you would like for your food enterprise, then this is for you. In this resource you will find proven tactics for creating attractive posts your customers will love and learn how...
How to survive and thrive through lockdown
The UK is now in a second full national lockdown to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. The PM said lockdown will expire on the 2nd December, however, there is the potential it could be extended if the infection rate doesn’t decrease enough by this date. ...
How to make the most of Christmas trade for your food enterprise
We don’t need research to prove shopper activity is affected by Christmas, just a quick look at your local high street in December will do! Most customers care about Christmas and your relevant, seasonal efforts show your customers you care about them. In return,...
More than just oranges: Oranges for Justice expands on the Open Food Network UK
Oranges for Justice is expanding their ethical fruit sales in multiple locations across the Open Food Network UK.
2025 on the Open Food Network UK
We take a look back on an exciting year for the Open Food Network UK in 2025, from food hub milestones to new team members.
Celebrating a decade of Tamar Valley Food Hubs and The Tree on the Open Food Network UK
As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on a whole decade of not one but two fabulous food hubs on the Open Food Network UK.
Meet Field Bakery and Mill at Gothelney Farm
Meet Field Bakery and Mill and discover how and why the Open Food Network UK is part of the story behind this pioneering field to fork collaboration.
Sustainable Food Procurement Hubs in Wales
Over the past year, the Open Food Network UK has been working on an innovative pilot scheme to demonstrate the feasibility of supplying local food to the Welsh public plate. Working with partners from Social Farms and Gardens, Cultivate, Development Trust...
From Just in Case towards local food resilience
Following an inspiring presentation at Groundswell 2025, Open Food Network UK's Nick Weir reflects on Professor Tim Lang's Just in Case report and explores OFN's role in strengthening local food resilience.
Connections and inspiration abound at Groundswell 2025
Open Food Network UK looks back at an inspiring Groundswell 2025, featuring the Procurement for Good project, the Wild Venison Network and more.
A trip to Cultivate, Powys as part of the Procurement For Good project
The Procurement For Good project team visited Cultivate in Newtown and other inspiring community food hubs in Powys, celebrating local sustainable food initiatives, new grower schemes, and the future of public sector food procurement. On a sunny Wednesday in April,...
Visit to Better Food Shed with Procurement For Good
Continuing our series of hub visits as part of the Procurement For Good project, in April we travelled to London to visit the Better Food Shed
Flower Grower Collective: Collaboration. Community. Creativity.
We are very pleased that The Flower Grower Collective (FGC) has been awarded funding through the prestigious Farming Innovation Programme.