Agenda

26 October 2023

EIT Food’s 2023 flagship conference will be the last before institutional change at European level in 2024. It provides a unique opportunity for the largest food community in the world to inspire lawmakers, by sharing evidence-based insights, business cases, and concrete recommendations on how, together, we can make change happen to transform our food systems. With its extensive track record of infusing innovation in the ecosystem, accelerating its take up and adoption from farmers to consumers, and providing frequent unique feedback to decision makers, the EIT Food Partnership can once again help shape the more sustainable, resilient and transparent system we need.

By the time we meet, European lawmakers will be shaping the future framework for sustainable food systems, the EU Protein Strategy, while also working on soil health, packaging / labelling, consumer information, financial instruments, etc. At a time when the EU’s best in class stance may be challenged internationally and internally, when the transition and costs attached may be questioned, the EIT Food conference provides the perfect opportunity to shape the future of our food, drawing from an amazing community dedicated to innovation. We are non-partisan, work with facts and figures and for impact. 

08:45 - 09:30
Registration, coffee and networking
09:30 - 09:45
Welcome remarks
Michiel-de-Ruiter-copy.jpg
Michiel de Ruiter
Chairperson, EIT Food's Supervisory Board
09:45 - 10:05
Future-proof European food ecosystems

A provocative look at the EU transformational challenge, costs and opportunities attached, and who should pay.

Few issues raise more passionate debates than food. Few sectors have more gravitas and influence than agrifood. Few green transition paths have called for more drastic shifts in practices and finance than farming.  And from cell-based meat to insects, few innovations come to face fiercer opposition. Food ecosystems epitomise complexity in our societies, with crucial choices for the future.  

In this introductory session, we will take a sharp look at our model and path towards achieving sustainability goals. If our agrifood system is broken, can we still fix it? What have we learnt over the past four years? Are we Europeans on the right innovation track? 

PK
Peter Kearns
Director for Sustainable Food Systems and Innovation, Re-Imagine Europa
Nina granucci
Ninna Granucci
CEO, Green Spot Technologies
10:05 - 10:45
Consumer information, behaviour and choices - new solutions

This session will take a fresh look at consumer centricity and discuss solutions in food diversification, improved consumer health and choices, and planet preservation.

Ultimately, food choice lies in the heads and pockets of consumers, many of whom consider the health of themselves and the planet. Are these considerations playing an increasing role in purchase decisions? Our research shows that consumer choice is deeply influenced by the quality and transparency of food information, as well as accessibility and affordability of products.  

Can behavioural science provide new solutions to co-design more virtuous products that help diversify consumer choice and reduce our carbon footprint? Will changing consumer attitudes nudge powerful market forces within farming, manufacturing and distribution towards business practices that support the required transition?  

Natasha foote
Natasha Foote
Moderator - Agrifood reporter, EURACTIV
Cortney price
Cortney Price
Lead for Behavioural Science, Office of Innovation, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Klaus grunert
Prof. Klaus G. Grunert
Aarhus University, Professor and Director of MAPP Centre, Consumer Observatory, EIT Food
green person
Hendrik-Jan van Oostrum
Head of EU Public Affairs, Ahold Delhaize
linkedin1
María Etessam Álvaro
Dietitian, FutureFoodMakers
10:45 - 11:10
Coffee and networking break
11:10 - 12:30
Interactive parallel sessions
Breakout session
Future-proof Youth (Skills for the Future)
Breakout session
Legislative approaches for the future of food
Breakout session
Food for healthy planet and people - The Protein Diversification Case
Workshops
The European innovation landscape
12:30 - 12:50
Keynote speech
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Iliana Ivanova
European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth
12:50 - 13:50
Lunch break
13:50 - 14:10
Europe's future of food - articulating food security, sovereignty and sustainability

Inspiring speech on security vs sustainability, EU’s actual threats, what we do about it. 

Our food system is dependent on external factors and players, vulnerable and transitioning. Food security is increasingly prominent on the political agenda. But what do we mean exactly by food security in Europe? What would it take to improve? Do we really have an issue and where do we stand now? 

This session will discuss major threats and opportunities for European food systems, looking at production, regulation, financing and top, defining players. 

What is the current state of the Union’s food systems?   

Alan-Matthews-4
Alan Matthews
Professor Emeritus of European Agricultural Policy, Department of Economics, Trinity College Dublin
14:10 - 14:50
International debate - European food systems in perspective: the transition happening beyond our shores, what can we learn?

Innovative approaches towards sustainability and resilience.

Views from the US, Asia, Israel and the EU (EIT Food Partners and stakeholders, EU competitors).

Natasha foote
Natasha Foote
Moderator - Agrifood reporter, EURACTIV
Arvea-Marieni-from-BainCapital-2-1130x650
Arvea Marieni
Partner and board member of management advisory company Brainscapital and Technical Director, The Regenerative Society
Julie Vermooten
Julie Vermooten
Chair AgriFood Committee, AmCham EU and Director of Europe Public Policy and Government Relations, MSD Animal Health
Nir Goldstein
Nir Goldstein
CEO, The Good Food Institute Israel
Felix Collins (1)
Felix Collins
Founder and CEO, Full Circle Biotechnology
Picture_Ana Euler
Ana Euler
Business Executive Director, EMBRAPA, Brazil’s agriculture research corporation
14:50 - 15:15
Coffee and networking break
15:15 - 16:35
Interactive parallel sessions
Breakout session
DeepTech Talents to nurture our future in food & agriculture
Breakout session
The data we need to make decisions for our future. Reliability, transparency, transferability
Breakout session
Food for thought - Sharpening innovation support: the future-fit instruments we need for the transformation of European food
Project meeting
16:35 - 17:00
Coffee and networking break
17:00 - 17:20
Ambition - Agility - Acceleration. Can Europe deliver?

European leaders and decision-makers discuss the bloc’s situation and their nations’ contributions.

Climate, health and security challenges are but three facets of the transition our societies must complete to ensure our future wellbeing. Food ecosystems are stretched to the maximum. Yet, there is no one-size-fits-all solution and tensions are rife. From farmers to consumers, innovators to regulators, public to private investors, manufacturers, importers, retailers, intermediaries – interests can be conflicting. Have flagship initiatives translated into valid and effective solutions? Did Europe build the relevant instruments? Post Covid, with a war still raging at our borders, nearing the end of the EU legislature, what have we learnt? What can still improve and how fast? 

R. Berutti
Roberto Berutti
Member of Cabinet Wojciechowski, European Commission
HEIVERS 2 (1)
Lins Heivers
Coordinator Belgian EU Presidency, Agriculture and Fisheries, Flemish Government
17:20 - 17:30
Spotlight: presentation of EIT Food initiatives
  •  Call: Regional Innovation Scheme Policy Council Members
  • Presentation: EIT Food Alumni Community 
17:30 - 17:40
Conclusions
17:40 - 20:00
Networking cocktail