Innovating university spaces and services: A case studies comparison

In recent decades, public and private food procurement initiatives have gained momentum as policy instruments aimed at improving the quality and affordability of food provision across sectors while promoting social and environmental sustainability. These initiatives encompass alternative food networks, production, consumption and on-site cultivation. This article investigates how both public and private actors can experiment with and establish innovative, accessible procurement networks in small-scale urban areas. It draws on a selection of best practices identified within the PPP_URB project, part of the OnFoods project, funded under the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The research analyses case studies from a wide range of contexts, constructing a methodology that enables dialogue and collaboration among partners with diverse areas of expertise. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the study explores the broader effects of food procurement programmes on local phygital food systems, generating insights to support the design of innovative procurement solutions for university campuses in the next phases of the research.