Current food systems may not be ready for the future

The European Food Information Council (EFIC) has stated that the current European food system is not ready for the future; and that the way of producing, processing, transporting, consuming and wasting food is not sustainable, particularly if it is to provide food and nutrition security for our future generations.

Transforming the food system towards a system that uses resources more efficiently, provides enough and nutritious food in a sustainable manner, and one that empowers communities that embrace the change, will be key.

In this context, the EU-funded FIT4FOOD2030 projects seeks to find ways to facilitate and accelerate this change by taking a ‘food system approach’, considering all processes and actors involved in the entire value chain; from inputs, to primary production (agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries), harvesting, storage, processing, packing, distribution, waste streams to consumer intake and back.

Another essential element in the FIT4FOOD2030 approach is ‘Responsible Research & Innovation’ (RRI). RRI is a dynamic process where all stakeholders involved in the Research & Innovation (R&I) practice come together to align and move towards desirable, sustainable and acceptable future outcomes.

The FIT4FOOD2030 project has established the ‘FOOD 2030 Platform’, which connects stakeholders at a European, national and local level to inform Research & Innovation programmes that are related to the food system. The Platform consists of three components;

• EU Think Tank: renowned international experts
• National Policy Labs: bringing together national stakeholders from the fields of health, food and nutrition to explore new ways of designing Research & Innovation Policy
• Local City Labs: bringing together people from all walks of life with the aim of empowering their communities to make the change towards a future-proof food system.

The City- and Policy Labs are currently organising workshop series in 7 European cities and 7 countries, respectively, but the activities will be rolled out in an increasing number of cities and countries.

After the FIT4FOOD2030 project finishes in 2020, the FOOD 2030 Platform will remain to exist to 1) inform support the European Commission in deciding on their Research & Innovation programmes, 2) to keep aligning the EU Member States on their food related policies, and 3) to keep training and informing citizens at a local level about the importance of having more sustainable food system and what the requirements are for going towards that.

FIT4FOOD2030 invites all actors in the food chain who are capable and willing to contribute to this transformation to become part of the FOOD 2030 Platform.

In short

• The European food system is NOT ready for the future.
• FIT4FOOD2030 (an EU funded project) looks at how Research & Innovation can prepare the food system for the future.
• The FOOD 2030 Platform connects stakeholders at a European, national and local level, and will 1) help policy makers and ministries dealing with the food system to align Research & Innovation programmes and 2) build skills and knowledge among current and future researchers, entrepreneurs, policy-makers, and the society at large to enable change.

The new FOOD 2030 Platform connects European, national and local stakeholders to help policy/decision makers and researchers to improve their Research & Innovation programmes and build skills and knowledge across the different sectors and populations for a future-proof European food system.