This paper will discuss the ongoing research in area of conceptualization, design of collaborative working environments and its adoption for food supply networks. There will be a group needs approach for designing such environments presented. Tracking and tracing, agreements on quality policy, improvements in logistics, dissemination of innovations, cooperation in quality planning and market orientation, access to knowledge bases, etc. are all examples which build on an increased horizontal or vertical integration in information and communication activities. For these purposes adoption of collaborative working environments may be of a crucial importance for food supply networks.