Cooperative Agri-Data Portal
Coach Name
Juan Juan
EU Organization
CoopCircuits (France)
Members
- Garethe Hughes
- Rachel Arnould
- Bérengère Batiot
CA Organization
CQCM (Canada)
Members
- Marie Lacasse
Project Overview
The Cooperative Agri-Data Portal (CADP) explored how data interoperability can strengthen short agrifood supply chains (SFSCs) in Europe and Canada. Many small-scale food networks lack compatible software, preventing collaboration and resource sharing. CADP tackled these barriers by developing two open tools:
- A Data Permissioning Module (DPM) empowering users to control how their data is shared across interoperable platforms.
- A Discovery Portal showcasing food hubs in Québec and promoting best practices exchange between producers, distributors, and consumers.
By using semantic web standards (Data Food Consortium and Beckn), CADP demonstrated that interoperability can support transparency, data sovereignty, and collaboration among local food initiatives—laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and connected agrifood ecosystem.
Methods and approaches
Interoperable Architecture using DFC and Beckn Standards
CADP analysed and combined the Data Food Consortium (DFC) and Beckn protocols to enable data exchange between food hubs using different software systems. This semantic web-based approach ensures machine-readable interoperability while preserving local autonomy and flexibility.
User-Centred Co-Design and Testing
The project engaged 77+ stakeholders in workshops and interviews to co-design the permissioning and discovery tools. Iterative feedback loops guided development, resulting in open-source components that directly address real-world needs in Québec and European SFSCs.
Key Achievements
Data Permissioning Module
Developed a Data Permissioning Module with a simple user interface to manage how information is shared (demo link).
Discovery Portal Launch
Launched a Discovery Portal for Québec’s food hubs (portal link).
Standards Comparison Study
Conducted comparative analysis of DFC and Beckn standards (report).
Community Collaboration
Collaborated with Open Food Network, Startin’Blox, Food Data Collaboration, and Data Food Consortium communities for peer review and feedback.
Open-Source Resources
Released comprehensive open-source documentation and APIs for future reuse.
Impact & Results
Sustainable and Interoperable Food Systems
CADP empowers local food initiatives to share data securely and transparently, creating the foundation for cooperative logistics, procurement, and analytics across regions.
It enhances data sovereignty, economic resilience, and sustainability within short food supply chains — a crucial step toward a fairer, interoperable agrifood system that bridges the EU–Canada partnership.
Publications and Open-Source Contributions
Future directions
CoopCircuits and CQCM plan to expand CADP through future grants and self-funded projects. Their goal is to build a farmer-led governance structure to maintain and evolve the interoperability components, ensuring long-term sustainability and continued transatlantic collaboration.