Food Production Hub Basel – Shared Infrastructure for Regional Food
Food Production Hub Basel pilots shared production infrastructure for regional food. Producers, gaw, retailers, gastronomy and community catering co-develop ready-to-use fresh, chilled and frozen products from regional ingredients, including seasonal surplus where possible. The pilot tests whether shared processing can make regional food more accessible, competitive and climate-friendly.
What issue does your project address, and why do you want to tackle it?
Regional food often fails at the missing middle: processing, storage and coordinated demand. Small and medium-sized producers lack affordable access to professional infrastructure, while retailers, gastronomy and community catering require consistent, ready-to-use products. Thus, regional ingredients and seasonal surplus remain underused and industrial convenience products dominate, regional value creation is lost and existing production capacity remains underutilised. We want to close the gap.
What is your project about and how does it help nurture tomorrow's Switzerland?
The project turns regional ingredients into ready-to-use fresh, chilled and frozen products through shared production infrastructure. Producers, gaw, logistics partners and buyers co-develop pilot products, test demand and establish transparent pricing and workflows. This strengthens efficient regional value creation, uses existing infrastructure better and creates a replicable model for climate-friendly food systems in Switzerland.
How do you measure your project's success?
Within one year, we will launch 4–8 pilot products, work with 3–5 regional producers and secure at least three repeat buyers from retail, gastronomy or community catering. We will track processed regional volumes, surplus/B-grade produce used, repeat purchases, production capacity used and regional value creation. FHNW will support climate impact, viability and replication evaluation.
Who are the people behind the project and what is your secret to a great collaboration?
Vlad leads ecosystem development and coordination. Christoph brings expertise in regional producer networks and product development. Orland contributes food production and operational know-how. Felicia connects supply chains and market partners. Nicolas leads retail validation. Michael supports impact evaluation through FHNW. Together, we combine complementary expertise across the regional food value chain and already work together in practice.
