We live in a world where thanks to technology, everything is getting “smarter”.

Our watches monitor our blood-pressure, our cars can drive themselves, and since the pandemic, the high-rise, multi-story workspaces that dominate our city skylines have been replaced by “virtual” meeting rooms we can carry around in our pockets.

But can the food that we eat get “smarter”, too?  The answer is Yes!

Smart…food?

Innovation in food systems is allowing us to develop food that is more nutritious, more resource-efficient and cheaper to produce. This has huge potential to address many of the great, global challenges we face. Everything from fighting climate change, improving global health to promoting gender equality can benefit from advances in food technology and improvements in various levels of the food system.

We all have a stake in the future of food innovation. Innovation at all stages of the food value chain is a topic mobilising everyone from scientists and farmers, to politicians, NGOs and the private sector. Local and regional authorities have a key role to play here; acting as an interlocutor between stakeholders on the ground, building partnerships, fostering collaboration and driving innovation.

An innovative show in an innovative format

That’s why on 3 March 2021, the AER, in partnership with Gelderland Province in the Netherlands is bringing you the 2021 Innovation Show!

The 2021 Innovation Show asks the question “How Smart is Your Food?”  This will be a unique, hybrid event hosted live from Gelderland Studio bringing together policymakers, entrepreneurs and experts to field ideas, find synergies and innovate together.

What you can expect

This event will be an opportunity to:

• Share experiences from regions on the development and impact of smart food and smart food value chains;
• Hear what challenges and opportunities stakeholders see in the food innovation field;
• Examine the role of regions and what new roles are emerging;
• Discuss the social and economic impact of food innovation, and what this means for policymakers;
• Share perspectives the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on innovation, especially when it comes to funding.