Innovating Urban Food Logistics

On Friday, May 8, EStà in collaboration with UNIVPM – Università politecnica delle Marche hosted an event at our Cascina Cuccagna headquarters, inviting industry experts from a variety of fields: from research to social services, from institutions to operators of public markets.

The goal of the event was to create a space for discussion to explore new configurations of urban food logistics: one of the strategic focal points for the transition toward more sustainable, resilient, and equitable food systems. Because it is not just about the transport of goods, but about a complex ecosystem that intertwines organizational models, urban infrastructure, technological innovation, environmental impacts, and social dynamics.

This event was part of the initiative launched by EStà within the Interreg Euro-MED GARDEN project, which had already held an initial meeting in Milan in May 2025. Building on that experience, this year’s meeting broadened its scope, focusing on the multidimensional nature of food logistics.

Data, models, and experiments involving cargo bikes and electric vehicles

During the meeting, the results of two pilot projects from the European initiative—Senigallia and Heraklion—were presented. These projects are testing innovative distribution models based on cargo bikes and electric mobility, respectively, offering concrete examples of how to rethink the last mile in a sustainable way.

• Giorgio Sarris told us about the experience in Heraklion, where the general market is testing a shared last-mile delivery system. Thanks to a shared electric van, several vendors from the same market can optimize their deliveries through mutual cooperation. “The process wasn’t easy,” Sarris said, “but a change in mindset is the key to our success.”

• Angela Stanco (UNIVPM) highlighted the effectiveness of GirocOrto, a platform in Senigallia that connects consumers with local producers for the purchase of fresh produce, utilizing refrigerated lockers and distribution points located throughout the area.

In addition to these, the impact assessment and monitoring work conducted by EStà was examined in depth; this work provides an integrated analysis of the environmental, social, and logistical dimensions of the various models tested, helping to develop useful tools to guide public policy and the operational decisions of industry stakeholders.

Finally, Elia Cipelletti presented So.De – Social Delivery, a Milan-based social delivery service that delivers food and goods via cargo bikes. The company ensures fair contracts, proper equipment, and adequate training for employees, supporting local commerce and establishing solidarity-based supply chains to combat food waste.

What is the GARDEN project?

GARDEN is a project funded by the Interreg Euro-MED program that aims to support the transition toward more sustainable urban food systems through innovation in food logistics. The project involves various cities and regions across the Mediterranean and develops pilot initiatives, analytical tools, and replicable models to improve efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, and strengthen the links between production, distribution, and consumption.