DECIDE’s aim is to co-create a digital Hub solution to enable a UK Circular Food System in the context of the apple sector

DECIDE brings together an interdisciplinary team working with industry experts, SMEs and third-sector organisations from the food sector to co-create a digitally enabled resilient and equitable food system in line with the circular economy (CE).

DECIDE has a clear focus on driving a Circular Food System (CFS) in the UK apple supply chain (SC) by leveraging digital capabilities and involving farmers and actors involved in, processing, storage and preservation, transportation, retail and redistribution, waste and surplus use/disposal.

The project will contribute to food security, enhanced economic sustainability and reduce environmental impact.

This sector is an ideal context to conduct this research as apples are a cornerstone of fruit production in the UK, hold significant heritage value as well as support a local and national economic infrastructure. Outputs and outcomes from the project will provide a blueprint for CFS for other product SCs.

DECIDE is an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funded project. supported in response to the funding opportunity: Research for a digitally enabled circular economy and sustainable digital technologies – UKRI