Who we are

Open Food Network Ireland is part of a global network of people and organisations working together to build a new food system. Together, we develop open and shared resources, knowledge and software to support a better food system.

We believe a sustainable and resilient food system needs to reconnect producers and consumers.  We aim to empower people and communities and give them the tools and knowledge to develop the food systems they need for their community.

 We are an open-source project globally and here in Ireland we’re structured as a non-profit cooperative (and social enterprise). This means we exist to provide benefits to the community rather than to private shareholders. It also ensures that our platform, and any other assets, are owned and managed by the people that use it.

Open Food Network was founded in 2012 in Australia and is now operating in over 20 countries, with more joining us every year. Open Food Network Ireland was established in 2020.

What we do

Our flagship project is an open source software platform that makes it easy to create innovative, independent, community food enterprises. The software can be used by farmers setting up their own online stores, but it’s designed to help farmers collaborate and sell together, to create thriving, viable enterprises. People have used the power of this feature to create food collectives, manage Community Food Hubs, to take their farmers’ market online with pre-purchases to give stallholders more secure sales, and much more.

The Open Food Network community has decades of experience in running innovative community food enterprises with social and ecological aims. We know that good food can transform our planet and our society. We also know that making values-driven food enterprise work takes commitment, perseverance, partnerships and support. The Open Food Network community want to help you to make values-driven food enterprises thrive! And we invite you to join us in creating this community of change.