Future food systems knowledge
FOSTER
Future food systems knowledge
In FOSTER, we are scanning the horizon of food systems and their value chains in a combination of semi-automated tools, searches and discussions. We are identifying drivers of change and will – later in the project – jointly develop and shape the futures of food systems and the CDIs’ strategies in the project.
In parallel, we are jointly developing context scenarios of EU food systems to 2040 in a Scenario Sprint. This adds to the methodological toolbox as well as the knowledge about potential future food systems.
We display here some of our selected findings. In this knowledge base, we will also connect with other EU Food systems projects. The platform is open for discussion and exploring challenges in the food system
The Horizon Scanning was partly automated and partly a joint effort of the FOSTER Team with our CDIs starting in 2023 and finishing in February 2024. The findings are not representative but selected by the CDIs. We want to share this knowledge with you, but please be aware that they are preliminary findings of signals and developments that may be changed during the course of the project. The findings are very selective and will be used in the next phase of FOSTER (sense-making) to work with our CDIs and to propose a topic for a potential “new CDI».
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*Biodiversity loss
*Agriculture
(re-)territorialisation
*Smart Irrigation
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*E-commerce and
online food retailing
*Fair distribution of food
*True pricing for food
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*Sustainable food for all
*Plant-based and
alternative protein diets
*Lab-grown flavours
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*Food donation and
redistribution programs
*Digitalisation against
food waste
*Prices versus Waste
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*Intelligent food packaging
and
shelf-life extension
*Reduction of plastic
packaging
*Biobased plastic packaging
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Supporting Services
*Food safety and
traceability systems
*Quality assurance and
certification programs
*Training and education
in the food industry
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Institutions and Environment
*Food Policy Councils
in the world
*Agroecology as new
paradigm
*New Agribusinesses
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Demographic Change
*Ageing Society in Europe
differing in the
Member States
*Ageing population and
specialized dietary needs
*Migration and
multicultural food trends
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Dietary Patterns
*Divided Societies
*Nutrition for better health
and curing
*Nutrition labeling
and transparency
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Science and Technology
*Genetic Engineering
(CRISPR & Co, gene editing)
*Sensory technology
and flavour profiling
*Robotics and automation
in food
production
and processing
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Markets
*Global food trade
and emerging markets
*Local and regional food
systems
*Plant-based and
alternative protein markets
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Climate Change and Environment
*Climate-resilient crops
and agriculture practices
*Climate-smart agriculture and
sustainable resource use
*4 degrees increase of
temperature until 2100
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Politics and Geopolitics
*New world order
*War on resources
*Trade agreements and
international food governance
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Resources and Energy
*Water scarcity and
efficient water management
*Competition for naturals
*No land and competition
for land
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Mobility
*New Food logistics and
transportation of food products
on a small scale
*Food delivery platforms
and gig economy
*Mobile food solutions
and food trucks
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Societal and Cultural Patterns
*Divided Societies
*Inflation
*Sustainable lifestyle
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Food &
nutrition security
will be filled during
the FOSTER
learning journey
Environmental
sustainability
will be filled during
the FOSTER
learning journey