At a time where every aspect of our lives is getting “smarter”, can food get “smart”, too? The answer is yes, as will be demonstrated on 3 March at the AER’s 2021 Innovation Show – How Smart is your Food?, hosted by Gelderland (NL) in collaboration with Th!nk East Netherlands.

Every link in the food value chain is being transformed by digital innovation, and in particular by Economy 4.0. Research on nutrition is bringing fresh insights and innovative ideas that affect every stage from production and processing, right through to consumption.

Working towards nutrition security and sustainable diets, moreover, has been found to positively impact issues as diverse as climate change, health and citizen participation.

Food value chain innovation and the Green Deal 

Innovation at all levels of the food value chain is a topic which can mobilise stakeholders from highly diverse backgrounds, generate new collaboration ecosystems, and make a significant contribution to achieving the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and actions aimed at fighting the economic crisis, it is particularly urgent to ensure that innovation in food and food value chains continues to be adequately supported. As part of the 2021 Innovation Show, regions will share their experiences and elaborate the actions they are taking on this topic. Indeed, the central role of regions in supporting innovation and economic development on the one hand, and in advancing the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs on the other, makes mutual learning all the more important.

The event will also be an opportunity to hear how Europe’s recovery plan will be implemented at regional level, with a focus on smart food and value chain innovation, in order to achieve a resilient, carbon-neutral EU by 2050 as foreseen by the EU Green Deal.

Sharing ideas and shaping the future together

The goal of this event on smart food and value chains is to share ideas and shape the future together. Things do not happen by accident; they happen by design. Major societal challenges, therefore, call for the collaboration between all stakeholders to share ideas and plan the future.

We therefore invite stakeholders from the public and private sector, industry specialists, entrepreneurs, academics, and policymakers to take this opportunity to share their experiences and perspectives at the 2021 Innovation Show. 

During this event, participants will: 

• Hear what different stakeholders see as opportunities and threats in the field of food innovation
• Examine the role of regions: are there new roles emerging?
• Discuss the social and economic impact, as well as needs in terms of policymaking and fields for cooperation
• Hear about the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on innovation, especially on funding innovation
• Examine and hear how Europe’s recovery plan will be implemented at regional level, with particular regard to smart food and value chain innovation, in order to achieve a resilient, carbon-neutral EU by 2050 as foreseen by the EU Green Deal

Agenda

10:30	Welcome by moderator Simone Balhuizen
10:33	Opening Magnus Berntsson, AER President, Västra Götaland (SE)  Christianne van der Wal, Regional Minister Innovation, Gelderland, (NL)
10:45	The Smart Food & Value Chain Dialogue  Innovation in food and food value chains presents both new opportunities and new challenges. Sitting at the crossroads between public health, innovation strategies, economic development and climate strategies, smart food and smart food value chains require a multilevel approach. This Smart Food & Value Chain Dialogue will provide insights on the stakes at different levels of governance in Europe, present examples and give a perspective on future opportunities for regions and the European Union as a whole. What are the main stakes at European and global level?What are the stakes at regional level?How to innovate for sustainable, climate-resilient, nutrition-dense and diversified food systems?Is it possible to innovate in the midst of a global crisis? Nelly Kalfs, Mayor of Lingewaard Representative from DG Agri, tbc Moderation: Simone Balhuizen
11:00	Talkshow: Smart food & Climate/Sustainability This exchange will bring together different stakeholders to discuss current challenges and sharing examples of smart food and food value chain innovation and their expected impact on mitigating climate change.  Speakers: Martin Scholten, Principal Advisor to Executive Board, Wageningen University & Research Paul Hospers, Project Leader, NEXTGarden Representative from Murcia (ES), tbc Moderation: Simone Balhuizen
11:25	Talkshow: Smart food & health Stakeholders will share their experience and how they are contributing to developing smarter food for better health. They will discuss the need for better science for better nutrition, to tackle challenges such as obesity, poor nutrition & poverty or active and healthy ageing.  Speakers Maartje Poelman, Associate Professor Consumption and Healthy Lifestyles, Wageningen University & Research Thea van Kemenade, Director of Health, OnePlanet, (Gelderland, NL)  Irene Lejegren, Chair of AER Task Force on Food, County Councillor, Örebro, SE Moderation: Simone Balhuizen
11:50	Wrap-up Christian Spahr, AER Secretary General
12:00	Conclusion