The aim of this paper is twofold. Firstly, an attempt is made to analyze the concept of open innovation and its determinants with particular regard to food industry. Secondly, an investigation of open innovation drivers is conducted, using a small-scale sample of Polish food firms. The sample consists of 15 food producers localized in the Lublin province. The Probit model has been used in the analyses. The results reveal that the level of technology and export orientation are the drivers of co-operation in innovation activities. In turn, expenditures on R&D and employees’ training reduce the propensity of enterprises to adopt the open innovation approach.