A Regional Digital Transformation System for Enhancing Local Vegetable Supply in School Lunches

This paper introduces the development and implementation of a digital transformation (Agri-DX) system aimed at enhancing the use of locally produced vegetables in school lunches in a Japanese regional city. Initiated in 2021 through a university-municipality collaboration, the system facilitates six-month menu-based planning, integrates cultivation and shipment scheduling, and enables real-time data sharing among producers, agricultural cooperatives (JA), and school lunch centers. The system’s cloud-based architecture improves transparency, optimizes supply chains, and enhances food education and sustainability. Results show a significant improvement in local sourcing rates, aiming from 16.3% in FY2022 to 44.6% by FY2029. This study demonstrates how structured information systems can address food security, economic stability, and regional revitalization.