Innovative Model of Agricultural Producers’ Cooperation in Short Food Supply Chains

By project FISSH

Published on 24 February 2025

Poland

Kujawsko-pomorskie

About this good practice

A purchasing platform has been created, http://wiejskaeskrzynka.pl/, used by consumers to deal directly with many producers at once. Its purpose is to work for farmers, not middlemen, which definitely sets it apart from other currently popular systems for selling products “from the farmer.” The platform offers a variety of food products ranging from cheese and cured meats, processed fruits and vegetables, raw vegetables and fruits to fresh poultry carcasses, which are delivered weekly to residents of Bydgoszcz and the surrounding area. The system created serves as an example for other producers, pointing them to possible solutions. Enabling joint food sales by agricultural producers using an innovative sales platform. A digital farmers' market has potential, by controlling and providing fairer conditions for farmers and producers than a traditional market dominated by large retail chains. These marketplaces provide consumers with additional choice and access to the highest quality products, with the ability to choose food from the country, and its transportation is associated with lower carbon emissions. Consumers are forgoing products imported from distant corners of the world, which require long-distance transportation by car or air.

Expert opinion

The goal of this digital purchasing platform is to connect consumers directly with multiple producers and to reduce the number of intermediaries. The success of this practice is indicated by the growing number of sold products and producers using and selling their products through this digital market platform. While the platform was started by a group of enthusiasts in Bydgoszcz, a similar platform could also be set up by public authorities in a different context. From this practice, other regions could learn how to implement digital market platforms so it would be easier for smaller local producers to access new markets and for consumers to find local products more conveniently. These types of initiatives also encourage collaboration. Namely, such platforms enable producers to offer a wider range of products and reach more consumers, increasing the resilience and competitiveness of local food markets. Lastly, such initiatives that encourage local consumption also contribute to shortening supply chains and therefore also contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions.

Mart Veliste

Works at Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform

Resources needed

Total eligible costs PLN 1,115,555.98
Co-financing PLN 729,624.51
Human resources: 5 people. Technical resources: sales platform and refrigerated truck.

Evidence of success

The amount of products sold through the ruraleskrzynka.pl online platform has been developing steadily since 2021. Considering the rate of the number of products sold in 2021 - 427, 2022-5179, 2023-5810 and 2024-7513, which shows a steady and systematic increase in sales should be accepted as a success of the practice. The number of agricultural producers selling food through the platform is also increasing.

Potential for learning or transfer

The practice described has the potential to interest other regions for several reasons. Key aspects that can be linked to transfer successes and challenges are: The innovation of the model, which is a sales platform, as well as a tool for coordinating the entire process, which provides a theoretical solution, for use in other regions. The use of the platform makes it easily accessible in different locations, depending on the needs and specifications of the local market. The second aspect could be functional support for SMEs. Using a sales platform that is accessible to users, contributes to financial benefits. In regions that are struggling to reach, sell or have high distribution costs, short supply chains can be the key to emergency financial stability for SMEs